Annals of burns and fire disasters
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Ann Burns Fire Disasters · Jun 2007
A study on biomarkers, cytokines, and growth factors in children with burn injuries.
Background. Burns are a unique injury which not only is devastating for the patients but also puts a great burden on society by consuming enormous health care resources. Despite improvements in burn wound care and treatment, understanding the role of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines as well as the mechanisms responsible for the healing process remains to be clarified. ⋯ Recommendations. It is highly recommended to monitor immunological parameters such as PCT and/or IL-6 for early detection of infectious complications following thermal injury. Leptin can be regarded as a novel treatment modality to diminish burn-induced inflammation, reduce post-burn immune dysfunction, and enhance burn healing.
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Ann Burns Fire Disasters · Jun 2007
Aldehyde-treated porcine skin versus biobrane as biosynthetic skin substitutes for excised burn wounds: case series and review of the literature.
Background. The use of skin substitutes as temporary or permanent coverings has been a subject of research and study since 1500 BC. Temporary coverage of the burn wound can decrease the metabolic rate, fluid loss, pain, and colonization. ⋯ Aldehyde-treated porcine skin (E. Z. Derm) is a reliable tool for short-term use and should not remain on the wound more than 3-4 days.
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Ann Burns Fire Disasters · Jun 2007
Septicaemia in scald and flame burns: appraisal of significant differences.
One hundred and sixty burn patients suffering from septicaemia, hospitalized in the Al-Babtain Centre burns unit, Kuwait, between June 1992 and May 2001, were studied. Thirty-two patients (20%) had scalds and 128 (80%) flame burns, thus representing a ratio of 1:4 among septicaemic patients. There were 20 males (62.5%) in the scald group, compared to 73 (57%) with flame burns. ⋯ It is significant to record that all the 38 deaths (29.7%) were in flame burn septicaemic patients (p < 0.001). The scald and flame burn patients were quite distinct in their demographic and clinical characteristics. The flame burn patients were more vulnerable to septicaemia, with a high risk of mortality.
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Ann Burns Fire Disasters · Jun 2007
Clinical experience in using the water jet in burn wound debridement.
Water jets have been used in many areas of surgery. Recently a new surgical debridement device was launched onto the market - VersajetTM. VersajetTM is a unique hydrosurgical device that uses a precise jet of water to simultaneously hold, cut, and remove devitalized or necrotic tissue. ⋯ The patients' age ranged from 27 to 60 yr (average, 37.8 yr) and the burn wounds treated were between 3 and 7% total body surface area, involving the face, abdomen, and limbs. The hydrosurgical system is a very useful tool for irregular and complex burn wound debridement. This paper represents the first written clinical experience utilizing hydrosurgery in the burn wound management in an Eastern country.