The Journal of burn care & rehabilitation
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J Burn Care Rehabil · Nov 2005
Comparative StudyBacteriological profile and antibiotic resistance: comparison of findings in a burn intensive care unit, other intensive care units, and the hospital services unit of a single center.
The purpose of the study was to define the bacteriological profile and antibiotic resistance patterns of a burn intensive care unit (ICU) and to compare them with the patterns from three other hospital areas in the same center (ie, cardiovascular-coronary ICU, a general ICU, and the hospital service unit). Bacterial isolates were collected prospectively from the burned patients and the patients from the other hospital areas between May 2001 and November 2003. In the burn ICU, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the isolated pathogen most frequently (40.4%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (29.3%) and Acinetobacter spp. (9.8%). ⋯ We observed higher antimicrobial resistance in burn ICU than in the other hospital areas studied. In conclusion, bacteriological profile and antibiotic resistance patterns of patients in the burn ICU are significantly different from those in other ICUs and hospital units at our center. This knowledge is crucial for early treatment of infections in burned patients.
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J Burn Care Rehabil · Nov 2005
Axillary burns: extended grafting and early splinting prevents contractures.
The development of contractures is a common complication after burn injuries. Axillary burns often result in limited abduction of the arm and present a major hindrance in rehabilitation. To prevent axillary contractures after burn injury, we perform a special grafting technique. ⋯ After 12 months, the mean abduction of the successfully treated axillary burns was 152 degrees. A secondary reconstruction was needed in only 5 of the 23 treated axillary burns. For the treatment of axillary burns, we recommend the described grafting technique in combination with early splinting and intensive physiotherapy.
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J Burn Care Rehabil · Sep 2005
Randomized Controlled TrialThe long-term analgesic efficacy of a single-shot fascia iliaca compartment block in burn patients undergoing skin-grafting procedures.
In a previous study, we assessed the efficacy of a continuous fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) in reducing the pain at thigh autograft skin donor sites. However, a continuous local anesthetic infusion may cause toxicity or infection. In this prospective, randomized double-blind study, we compared the analgesic efficacy of FICB when given as a single shot vs continuous infusion during the 72-hour postoperative period up to the first dressing change (1dc). ⋯ Both techniques were equally effective in diminishing dynamic pain and reducing the side effects normally associated with morphine. However, patients receiving a single block experienced less residual paresia and were more satisfied with their pain-relief treatment than those who received a continuous infusion. A single-shot FICB is an easy, inexpensive, and efficient method for diminishing pain at thigh donor sites during a 72-hour postoperative period and has limited side effects and no residual paresia.
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J Burn Care Rehabil · Sep 2005
ReviewBurns, bacterial translocation, gut barrier function, and failure.
The development of systemic inflammation, acute lung injury, and multiple organ failure after a major thermal injury, as well as nonthermal forms of trauma, remain relatively common causes of morbidity and mortality. During the past two decades, increasing recognition that the ischemic gut may contribute to the development of sepsis and organ failure in burn patients, as well as other critically ill patient populations, has led to new hypotheses to explain burn-induced multiple organ failure as well as highlighted the importance of early enteral nutrition. Thus, the goal of this review will be to provide a perspective on the evolution of the gut hypothesis of systemic inflammation and distant organ dysfunction.