Annals of burns and fire disasters
-
Ann Burns Fire Disasters · Sep 2017
Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement and minimal invasive modality (mim) care of deeply burned hands.
The objective was to critically review the data and assess the implications of NexoBrid [NexoBrid-NXB formerly Debrase Gel Dressing-DGD]a in the special field of deep hand burns. Detailed analysis of endpoints in the treatment of hand burn patients was conducted as part of a multi-center, open label, randomized, controlled two-arm study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of NXB enzymatic debridement, comparing it to the current standard of care (SOC). These results were compared to a large cohort of patients treated with NXB in a previous, single arm study. ⋯ Mean percentage of burn wound area excised in the NXB group was 4.4 ± 13.1% compared to 52.0 ± 41.4% in the SOC group (p<0.0001). None of the NXB-treated hands required escharotomy compared to 4 out of the 41 (9.7%) in the SOC group. NXB enzymatic debridement demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in burn wound excision and auto-grafting compared to SOC, and seems to prevent the need for emergency escharotomy. a DGD is produced by MediWound and distributed under the name NexoBrid®.
-
Ann Burns Fire Disasters · Sep 2017
Paediatric electrical burn injuries: experience from a tertiary care burns unit in North India.
Electrical burn injuries in the paediatric age group constitute a small proportion of all burn cases and cause significant morbidity and long-term psychosocial impact. The objective of this study was to evaluate various aspects of electrical burn injuries in the paediatric age group in our region. A retrospective review was done of all paediatric electrical burns admitted to a tertiary care burns unit over a period of 12 months (January 2016 to December 2016). ⋯ There were unfavourable outcomes in 32% patients with a mortality rate of 7.8%. Significant association was found between unfavourable outcomes and high voltage burn injuries and length of hospital stay. The impact of electrical burn injuries is substantial and can be reduced by simple preventive measures such as educating parents, improving health infrastructure and adherence to safety regulations.
-
Ann Burns Fire Disasters · Jun 2017
Prehospital hydroxocobalamin for inhalation injury and cyanide toxicity in the United States - analysis of a database and survey of ems providers.
Prehospital use of hydroxocobalamin as an antidote for cyanide toxicity, a serious complication of smoke inhalation, has yet to be universally adopted in the United States though its efficacy and safety have been demonstrated since 2006. The purpose of this study was to characterize practices of prehospital hydroxocobalamin administration via a survey of emergency medical services (EMS) and to report a case series from an EMS database to track use of hydroxocobalamin. The Fire Smoke Coalition Newsletter emailed a voluntary survey to EMS subscribers regarding hydroxocobalamin use. ⋯ Prehospital administration of hydroxocobalamin for cyanide toxicity is uncommon in the United States, as evidenced by this analysis, despite well-documented safety and efficacy. Although a small sample, patients who received prehospital hydroxocobalamin had improved survival. This survival rate is significantly greater than those reported previously.
-
Ann Burns Fire Disasters · Mar 2017
Burn-related factors affecting anxiety, depression and self-esteem in burn patients: an exploratory study.
Burns are physically, psychologically and economically challenging injuries, and the factors leading to them are many and under-studied. The aim of the current study was to assess level of anxiety, depression and self-esteem in burn patients, and look at various burn-related variables that affect them. This cross-sectional study included 100 patients with burn injuries admitted to a tertiary care private hospital in an urban metropolis in India. ⋯ High rates of anxiety and depression are associated with burn injuries and related to burn depth. Adjustment and recovery in these patients depends on various other factors like the patient's psychological status, nature/extent of the injury and ensuing medical care. Further research is warranted to reveal the magnitude and predictors of psychological problems in burn patients.
-
Plasma lactate (PL) has been used as a marker of cellular hypoxia and shock. The correlation between PL and clinical outcome has been well accepted in hemorrhagic and septic shock. In contrast to the existing evidence, there are no or almost no data dealing with lactate and burn-related outcome. ⋯ Furthermore, plasma lactate cut-off value for mortality prediction was 4.46 mmol/l with a good sensitivity (86%) and specificity (92%). Mortality rate was 36.25%. Plasma lactate appears to be a powerful predictor biomarker of sepsis and mortality in burn patients.