Early excision and skin grafting versus delayed skin grafting in deep hand burns (a randomised clinical controlled trial)

Introduction

Early excision and grafting (E&G) of burn wounds has been reported to decrease hospital stay, hospital costs and septic complications, and some purport reduced mortality while decreasing hospital costs.In today's practice, all burn wounds unlikely to achieve spontaneous closure within 3 weeks are excised and grafted. Early studies did not demonstrate dramatic differences in cosmetic or functional results. This is particularly true with burns of the face, hands and feet. In this study, early excision and skin grafting was compared with delayed skin grafting in deep hand burns.

Materials and methods

From September 2006 to February 2008, 50 patients with hand burns and average burn size less than 30% total body surface area (TBSA) deep second- and third-degree were randomly divided into early E&G group (group I) and delayed grafting group (group II).Gradual and careful limb and digit range of motion was started on about 10th-14th postoperative day. We used a questionnaire based on the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire to evaluate final functional outcome. Further, hypertrophic scar formation, contracture and deformities were followed and managed accordingly.

Results

The most common site of involvement was the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint with frequency of 39% and 40% in groups I and II, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between both groups regarding deformity severity, scar formation, sensation, major activities and overall satisfaction.

Discussion

In treating burns of the hand, the primary goal should always be to restore the functionality of the hand. Although early surgery shortens the healing time and lessens the hospital stay, our results did not show any significant difference between these two methods regarding the function, scar formation, daily activity limitation and overall satisfaction.     

Effectiveness of Biobrane for treatment of partial-thickness burns in children

Purpose

Wound care for partial-thickness burns should alleviate pain, decrease hospital length of stay, and be readily applied to a variety of wounds. The effectiveness of Biobrane (UDL Laboratories, Rockford, IL) is compared with that of Beta Glucan Collagen (BGC; Brennan Medical, St. Paul, MN) in a retrospective cohort study.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of all children treated at a tertiary care pediatric hospital between 2003 and 2009 identified patients with partial-thickness burns treated with Biobrane. These patients were compared with historical controls treated with BGC.

Results

A total of 235 children between the ages of 4 weeks and 18 years with an average of 6.0% body surface area partial-thickness burns were treated with Biobrane. In a multivariate statistical analysis, patients treated with Biobrane healed significantly faster than those treated with BGC (Biobrane vs BGC: median, 9 vs 13 days; P = .019; hazard ratio, 1.68). In addition, patients who required inpatient treatment trended toward having shorter length of hospital stay in the Biobrane group (2.6 vs 4.1 days, P = .079).

Conclusion

Partial-thickness burn care consists of early debridement and application of a burn wound dressing. Biobrane dressings result in faster healing compared with BGC and may decrease hospital length of stay for patients requiring inpatient admission.     

“Gearing to a time table”; the evolution of earlier surgical eschar excision in massive burns by British burns surgeons at the battles of Cassino, 1944: An example of real-time audit

The effectiveness of burns care delivery is difficult to measure within a realistic workload and resource framework. In addition, workers must develop new tools for this purpose.     

Enzymatic debridement of burn wound with collagenase in children with partial-thickness burns

Seventy-eight pediatric burn patients treated by enzymatic debridement with collagenase clostridiopeptidase A (CCA), were compared to 41 patients those burn wounds were excised surgically. Patients whose burn wounds were initially assessed as partial-thickness at admission were enrolled in the study. Total removal of eschar was achieved in 49 of 78 (62.8%) patients by CCA only (group D). In 29 patients (37.2%), therapy with CCA was ceased because of the development of burn wound infection or a manifest need for grafting of the wound, therefore, these patients underwent tangential wound excision (group DS). The records of 41 patients, treated by early tangential excision, having similar burn wounds by extent and depth with groups D and DS were used as controls (group S).

There was no significant difference between the time to achieve a clean wound bed in groups D, DS and S (mean 7.8, 8, and 7 days, respectively, P>0.05). In group D, none of the patients required blood transfusion, except one. Patients in group DS were found to have fewer excisions (mean 1.1) when compared to those in group S (mean 1.5, P<0.05). The shortest hospital stay was found in group D (12.5 days, P<0.01). In conclusion, the use of CCA, provided a short hospital stay, reduced the overall need for surgery and blood transfusions in patients with partial-thickness burns. Thus, CCA should be considered as an initial treatment of choice for removal of eschar in children, having a partial-thickness burn wound without infection.     

Early excision and primary resurfacing of wounds following high voltage electrical burns

Summary The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the merits of early excision and primary resurfacing of wounds following high voltage electrical burns; the results in ten cases are evaluated. In all cases, early excision and primary resurfacing of the wound was performed using random and axial pattern flaps, fasciocutaneous flaps, septocutaneous flaps, regional myocutaneous flaps and free flaps. A new clinically oriented classification on which treatment was based is presented. The justification and the rationale of this approach is outlined. Five of the ten cases are described.     

Role of systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in acute burns: A retrospective analysis from a tertiary care center

IntroductionBurns are a worldwide problem with majority of them occurring in low and middle-income countries. The hurdles in treatment of burns in the resource restricted setting are unique and challenging. The role of intravenous antibiotics in reducing mortality and morbidity related to infection and sepsis has not been studied extensively in the Indian sub-continent.Materials and methodsThis was a retrospective study conducted at a tertiary burn care center in India over a period of six months with follow up of one month from the day of burn injury.ResultsData from a total of 157 patients were collected and analysed. In Prophylaxis group (n = 77), sepsis was detected in 33 patients and 38 patients expired. In No Prophylaxis group (n = 80), sepsis was detected in 37 patients and 40 patients expired. In Inhalational burns subgroup, patients belonging to Prophylaxis group (n = 30) had 20 patients diagnosed with pneumonia while 22 patients did not survive till 30th post burn day. Patients in No Prophylaxis group who had inhalational burns were 38 in number. Pneumonia was diagnosed in 29 of them while 27 did not survive till 30th post burn day. In Pneumonia subgroup, patients belonging to Prophylaxis group had lower mortality rate as compared to No Prophylaxis group.ConclusionOur study does not support the routine usage of antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with burn injuries, but their administration can be considered in certain specific subgroups like patients with inhalational burns and patients developing pneumonia. Pneumonia is an independent risk factor for mortality when no antibiotic prophylaxis is used in burn patients.     

Psychosocial impact of childhood face burns: a multicenter, prospective, longitudinal study of 390 children and adolescents

Introduction

This two-year longitudinal study of the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children with face burns was conducted in three regional pediatric burn care centers. Subjects were 390 children less than 18 years old at injury, admitted for burn treatment from September 2001 to December 2004.

Methods

HRQoL was assessed using the age-specific Burn Outcomes Questionnaire (BOQ) administered at scheduled time points following discharge up to 24 months thereafter. A psychosocial score was determined from domains of the BOQ, and these scores from children with both face burns and grafts were compared to those of children with non-face burns or with face burns but no face grafts.

Results

The parents of both the 0-4 year olds and the 5-18 year olds, who had facial burns and grafts, reported decreased BOQ psychosocial scores. When the teenagers (11-18 year olds) with facial burns and grafts filled out the BOQ themselves, they also reported low psychosocial scores compared to those with no facial burns with grafts.

Conclusions

Severe face burn influences HRQoL in children. Additional psychosocial support is suggested to enhance recovery for patients with severe face burns and their families during the years following injury.     

Feelings of guilt and embitterment in parents of children with burns and its associations with depression

Objectives

The aim was to examine guilt and embitterment in mothers and fathers of children with burns and its associations with depression and burn severity.

Effect of early enteral nutrition on morbidity and mortality in children with burns

Burns increase the metabolic demands of the body and can lead to severe weight loss and increased risk of death.     

Epidemiological analysis of pediatric burns in the Dominican Republic reveals a demographic profile at significant risk for electrical burns

Objective

Pediatric burns are preventable with legislative and infrastructural changes. Although retrospective audits of many low- and middle-income countries have aided preventative efforts, the epidemiological status of burns in the Caribbean is not known. This study characterizes pediatric burns in the Dominican Republic (DR) and compares these to age-matched North American records captured by the National Burn Repository.

Incidence and characteristics of non-accidental burns in children: A systematic review

IntroductionThe estimated incidence of non-accidental burns varies between 1–25% in children. Distinguishing non-accidental burns from accidental burns can be very complicated but is of utmost importance for prevention of future injuries. Several studies concerning non-accidental burns have been published, however a clear overview is lacking.AimTo conduct a systematic review of the existing literature to identify the incidence and characteristics of burns due to intentional causes and neglect.MethodsThe protocol of this systematic review was prospectively registered in an international database (PROSPERO, National Institute for Health Research, York, United Kingdom). We searched literature in electronic databases published from 1948 until July 2018 written in English, Dutch, German and French. Two researchers screened, selected and graded the included articles, using standard methodology. We included primary studies of confirmed non-accidental burns in children. We excluded literature reviews, case-reports and unpublished data. We extracted data regarding demographics, burn characteristics, Child Protective Services (CPS) referral information and parent/household characteristics.Results825 studies were screened, 17 were included. The incidence of non-accidental burns was pooled out of 10 studies and is 9.7%. Indicators raising a very high suspicion of intentional burns are deep partial thickness and full thickness burns, burns to the posterior trunk and burns caused by hot tap water. Indicators raising a high to moderate suspicion of an intentional cause are burns to buttocks, genital and legs, a younger age of the child, additional injuries such as cutaneous injuries/bruises and fractures. More commonly caused by accidents are burns to head, neck, anterior trunk, upper extremities and feet. Little data are available regarding burns as a result of neglect. Quality of studies was often low to moderate mostly due to a high heterogeneity. This review is mainly based on retrospective studies.ConclusionFrom this review of the literature, the incidence of non-accidental burns in children was 9.7%. Indicators raising a very high suspicion of intentional burns are: location at the posterior trunk, deep partial thickness and full thickness burns and burns caused by hot tap water.     

Microskin autografting in the treatment of burns over 70% of total body surface area: 14 years of clinical experience

Despite the fact that early excision and grafting have significantly improved burn outcomes, the management of severely burned patients whose burn size exceeds 70% total body surface area (TBSA) still represents a big challenge for burn surgeons all over the world. During the period of 1997-2010 at our centre, aggressive excision and microskin autografting were performed in 63 severely burned patients. Their burn sizes ranged from 70% to 98% TBSA with a mean of 84.9%. The average full-thickness burn was 66.3% (range, 29-94%). Thirty patients had concomitant inhalation injury. Two to 7 days after burn, these patients underwent aggressive excisions ranging from 25% to 60% TBSA and transplantation of microskin autograft overlaid with allograft. The ratios of donor-site to recipient-site surface area were between 1:6 and 1:18. Signs of epithelialization were shown within 35-55 days. The wound healing rate was 74.9% (176/235), with 51.1% of cases (120/235) healing completely and 23.8% (56/235) improving. Microskin autografting yielded an overall survival rate of 63.5%; only 23 patients died. Our clinical experience in using the microskin autografting for burn coverage suggests that the technique is very effective in covering extensive burns, and that it is particularly useful when graft donor sites are very limited due to its high utilization rate of donor site. The factors affecting the outcome of microskin autografting are discussed herein.     

Paediatric burns in Kuwait: incidence, causes and mortality

From a prospective study on burn patients admitted at the Burn Center in Kuwait during 1993-2001, 826 paediatric burn cases, in 0-14 years age group, were retrieved to study incidence, causes, and mortality among children. The demographic characteristics, clinical features, and outcome constituted our data file in Statistical Software, SPSS. Overall incidence rate was 17.5/100,000 children aged 0-14 years, being almost twice (34/100,000) among those between 0 and 4 years, constituting 70.8% of all paediatric burns. Scald was the main cause of burn (67%), followed by flame (23%). Mean age (6.4 years) of children with flame burns, was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than those with scalds, or other causes. A positive significant correlation existed between duration of hospital stay and TBSA% (r = 0.56, p < 0.001). Overall mortality rate was 0.23/100,000 children, maximum (0.52/100,000) being in children below 5 years. Among 11 (1.3%) non-survivors, flame burns caused nine fatalities. Multiple logistic regression mooring predicted children aged < 5 years, flame burns and TBSA >or= 70%, (OR = 29.2, p < 0.001), as main contributing factors to fatal outcome among children. Gender and nationality had no influence on incidence or mortality. These findings will hopefully stimulate development of targeted and sustainable interventions for reducing burns occurrence among identified paediatric high-risk groups.     

Surgical Treatment of Simple Syndactyly

During the period 1963-74 a total of 20 operations for simple syndactyly were performed on 34 fingers. A dorsal rectangular flap and thick split skin grafts were regularly used except in 2 cases where full thickness grafts were used for covering the skin defects. There were no secondary operations. The period of observation after 13 operations was 4 years or more. It is concluded that the dorsal rectangular flap technique combined with thick split skin grafts give satisfactory results.     

Trauma and burns in children

Trauma is the leading cause of death and disability in children, most often resulting from blunt trauma. An immediate co-ordinated and pathology-focussed resuscitation will contribute to improved morbidity and mortality outcomes. This article discusses the principles of the primary and secondary survey in injured children and outlines the management of children suffering from burns. A multi-professional approach to the treatment of critically injured children should be adopted; where the primary survey aims to identify and manage catastrophic haemorrhage followed by management of life-threatening injuries to airway, breathing and circulation. The secondary survey includes a detailed examination to identify and manage other subtle or less severe injuries. Attention to fluid therapy, analgesia, thermoregulation, blood coagulation and glucose homeostasis form important aspects of this secondary survey. Children injured in fires may have suffered from smoke inhalation or sustained burns to the upper airway, with rapid swelling of mucosal tissue, which can make immediate control of the airway very challenging. Both flame burns and scalds can cause significant fluid losses and are associated with a significant risk of mortality.     

Acticoat dressings and major burns: systemic silver absorption

Despite widespread use of wound dressings containing silver, few studies have investigated patients’ serum silver levels. An earlier study of Acticoat use in small burns showed transient elevations of serum silver. The aim of this study was to examine the serum silver profile when Acticoat is used in major burns.A prospective study of 6 patients with burns greater than 20% total body surface area (TBSA). All burn wounds, including grafted and non-grafted areas and skin graft donor sites, were dressed with Acticoat or Acticoat Absorbent. Patients’ serum silver levels, biochemistry and haematology were examined before, during and after the application of the silver dressings.The median total wound size (including donor sites) was 46.1% TBSA. The median maximum serum silver level recorded, 200.3 μg/L, reached at a median of 9.5 days following initial silver dressing application. This decreased to a median of 164.8 μg/L at the end of the treatment period and to a median of 8.2 μg/L at the end of follow-up. One adverse event, partial skin graft loss was thought to be dressing related.In this small study, serum silver levels were elevated but remained similar to that reported following the use of silver sulfadiazine. This study confirmed our view that Acticoat is safe to use on patients with burns, even when they are extensive.     

Trauma and burns in children

Trauma is the leading cause of death and disability in children, most often resulting from blunt trauma. An immediate co-ordinated and pathology-focussed resuscitation will contribute to improved morbidity and mortality outcomes. This article discusses the principles of the primary and secondary survey in injured children and outlines the management of children suffering from burns. A multi-professional approach to the treatment of critically injured children should be adopted, where the primary survey aims to identify and manage catastrophic haemorrhage followed by management of life-threatening injuries to airway, breathing and circulation. The secondary survey includes a detailed examination to identify and manage other subtle or less severe injuries. Attention to fluid therapy, analgesia, thermoregulation, blood coagulation and glucose homeostasis form important aspects of this secondary survey. Children injured in fires may have suffered from smoke inhalation or sustained burns to the upper airway, with rapid swelling of mucosal tissue, which can make immediate control of the airway very challenging. Both flame burns and scalds can cause substantial fluid losses and are associated with increased risk of mortality.     

Trauma and burns in children

Trauma is the leading cause of death and disability in children, most often resulting from blunt trauma sustained in motor vehicle accidents and falls. An immediate coordinated resuscitation may contribute to improved morbidity and mortality outcomes. A multi-professional approach to the treatment of critically injured children should be adopted; where the primary survey aims to identify and manage immediately life-threatening injuries to airway, breathing and circulation. Following cardiovascular stabilization, the secondary survey serves to structure a detailed examination for other more subtle or less severe injuries. Attention to fluid therapy, analgesia, thermoregulation and glucose homeostasis form important aspects of the secondary survey. Children injured in fires may have suffered from smoke inhalation or sustained burns to the upper airway, with rapid swelling of mucosal tissue, which can make immediate control of the airway very challenging. Both flame burns and scalds can cause significant fluid losses and are associated with a significant risk of mortality. This review discusses the principles of the primary and secondary survey in injured children, fluid resuscitation and outlines the management of children suffering from burns.     

Optimal treatment of partial thickness burns in children: A systematic review

A large part of the patient population of a burn centre consists of children, most of whom are younger than four years. The majority of these young children suffer from superficial and deep partial thickness scald burns that may easily deepen to full thickness burns. A proper wound therapy, that prevents infection and ensures a moist wound condition, might prevent the deterioration of the wound.