Annals of burns and fire disasters
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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.
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Ann Burns Fire Disasters · Dec 2016
The burning issues of motor vehicle radiator scald injuries revisited - a fresh review and changing prevention strategies.
A preventable subgroup of burn injuries is scalds sustained from motor vehicle radiators. This study was to determine changes in trends in epidemiology of such injuries and to discuss whether current and other prevention efforts proposed previously require reinforcement. We conducted a retrospective study (February 2007-August 2015) of all motor vehicle-related burn referrals to our regional burns service. 68 cases of motor vehicle radiator burns were identified. ⋯ Following the introduction of safety measures by vehicle manufacturers, motor vehicle radiator burns in this era are mostly minor injuries and can be potentially managed conservatively as an outpatient. This contrasts with findings from previous studies over a decade ago of larger, more significant injuries requiring admission and surgery. Whilst manufacturers have installed safety measures into the design of radiator caps, our findings suggest that re-educating the public to allow a period of cooling prior to opening caps should be reinforced.
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Ann Burns Fire Disasters · Sep 2016
Acute respiratory distress syndrome in burn patients: incidence and risk factor analysis.
After a burn lesion, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) may occur via direct lung injury due to inhaled smoke and fumes or mediated by the inflammatory response associated with the burn or its infectious complications. The aim of the present study is to assess the epidemiologic profile of ARDS in adult burn patients admitted to intensive care in a burn unit at a university hospital. A prospective cohort study was performed from January to December 2012. ⋯ ARDS is a common complication in burn patients admitted to specialized intensive care units. Inhalation injuries were an independent risk factor for ARDS. Mortality rate observed in the study patients was high and associated with ARDS diagnosis.
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Ann Burns Fire Disasters · Jun 2016
Comparison of mortality prediction models and validation of SAPS II in critically ill burns patients.
Specific burn outcome prediction scores such as the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI), Ryan, Belgian Outcome of Burn Injury (BOBI) and revised Baux scores have been extensively studied. Validation studies of the critical care score SAPS II (Simplified Acute Physiology Score) have included burns patients but not addressed them as a cohort. The study aimed at comparing their performance in a Swiss burns intensive care unit (ICU) and to observe whether they were affected by a standardized definition of inhalation injury. ⋯ The excellent predictive performance of the classic scores (revised Baux score and ABSI) was confirmed. SAPS II was nearly as accurate, particularly in burns <40% TBSA. Ryan and BOBI scores were least accurate, as they heavily weight inhalation injury.
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Ann Burns Fire Disasters · Mar 2016
Immediate tangential excision accelerates wound closure but does not reduce scarring of mid-dermal porcine burns.
Current evidence supports the use of excision to remove eschar from deep dermal and full-thickness burns. However, the role of excision of mid-dermal burns remains unclear. This study aimed to develop a porcine model that could produce reproducible middermal thermal burns that undergo tangential excision; and investigate the effects of immediate tangential excision (30 minutes postburn) on healing and scarring. ⋯ Exposure of porcine skin to a preheated aluminum bar at 70 °C for 20 or 30 sec resulted in reproducible mid-dermal burns, where immediate excision enhanced complete wound closure as judged by complete re-epithelialization, but did not reduce initial depth of injury, scar contraction and scar depth. Immediate surgical intervention is sufficient to enhance wound closure, but not to mitigate mid-dermal burn scar formation. This work provides a suitable animal model to evaluate novel therapies that may be used to inhibit burn progression, accelerate wound closure and decrease scarring, especially those therapies unable to penetrate burn eschar.