Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Multicenter Study
Disseminated intravascular coagulation: a rare entity in burn injury.
Severe burns are traditionally quoted as causes for acute disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC). However, literature is scarce, and the real incidence of DIC is still unknown. In order to determine the incidence and the clinical implications of DIC in the burned population, 3331 consecutive burned patients were review. ⋯ In conclusion, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy is a rare complication following severe burn trauma. It complicates the course of the critically ill burn patient, although appropriate therapy prevents its fulminant course. However, a prospective multicenter study with close monitoring of all coagulation parameters may be necessary to elucidate the real incidence of DIC in burn patients.
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In estimating small areas of burns, it is traditionally taught that the patient's palm is 1% of the body surface area. Whether the palm means the palmar surface of the whole hand or palm excluding the fingers, has not been very clear and is a source of confusion to many junior doctors. ⋯ It was done through a literature search, telephonic interviews and a review of Web-pages related to burns area estimation. The results highlighted the existing confusion on the topic and the need for educating junior doctors.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The use of a collagen sponge/living cell composite material to treat donor sites in burn patients.
The objective of this study was to examine the safety and efficacy of bilayered cellular matrix, (OrCel) Ortec International, Inc., New York, NY in facilitating timely wound closure of split-thickness donor sites in severely burned patients. We utilized a matched pairs design; each patient had two designated donor sites of equivalent surface area and depth. Sites were randomized to receive a single treatment of either OrCel or the standard dressing Biobrane-L (Bertek Pharmaceuticals) Sugarland, TX. ⋯ This acceleration of wound healing was clinically important in enabling earlier recropping. OrCel sites also exhibited reduced scarring. Therefore, treatment of donor site wounds with OrCel is well tolerated, promotes more rapid healing, and results in reduced scarring when compared with conventional therapy with Biobrane-L.
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Impairment rating is regularly reported for trauma and other conditions but rarely for burns. The purposes of this study were: (1) to report impairment collected prospectively at our burn center, (2) to relate this impairment to measures of psychosocial and functional outcome, and (3) to compare these data to similar data from another burn center to verify that rating impairment is standardized and that the impairments are similar. We studied 139 patients from the University of Washington (UW) Burn Center and 100 patients from the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Burn Center. ⋯ Average whole person impairment ratings at UT Southwestern were similar at 19%. Several components of the impairment rating, however, differed at the two institutions. To minimize this variation, we recommend: (1) use the skin impairment definitions of the fifth edition of the Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (or the most recent published versions of the Guide), and (2) include sensory impairment in healed burns and skin grafts in the skin impairment.
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Previous studies based on either single hospital data or sampling of specific groups of hospitalized burns victims in Taiwan have provided only minimal epidemiological information. The study is designed to provide additional data on the epidemiology of hospitalized burns patients in Taiwan. Data were obtained from the Burn Injury Information System (BIIS), which brings together information supplied by 34 contracted hospitals. ⋯ In conclusion, children under 5 years and adults between 35 and 44 years of age are two high-risk groups for burn injuries. Corresponding to meal preparation time, hot substances such as boiling water, hot soup, etc. are the most common agents responsible for scalds. Prevention programs for reducing the risk of burn injuries during cooking and eating are required, especially for parents with young children.