Epidemiology and outcomes of burn injuries at a tertiary burn care center in Bangladesh

Globally, burns are among some of the most devastating injuries and account for more than 265,000 deaths worldwide. In Bangladesh alone, nearly 3000 people die annually from burn-related injuries. This study was conducted at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka, Bangladesh in June of 2016. Data included conducting surveys of hospitalized burn patients (N = 66) and a chart review of deceased burn patients (N = 88). In addition to reporting on the demographic profile of patients, information was also obtained on clinical measures during hospitalization. For non-fatal burns, high risk groups included young adult males (early 30s) of lower socioeconomic status. Among children, the most vulnerable group was found to be children less than eight years old. The most common non-fatal types of burn injuries were flame (35%), electrical (31%) and scald (24%). Discharged patients had an average hospital stay of around 30 days with half of all patients requiring surgical intervention, thus indicating the severity of those cases and the need for resource-intensive care. Among the discharged patient population, factors significantly associated with a longer duration of hospital stay included severity of injury, not having received prior treatment before admission and whether or not patients required surgery during hospitalization.Among the mortality cases, the high-risk groups also included young adult males and children of around eight years of age. The average total body surface area (TBSA) sustained in these cases was 46.4%, with 65% of deaths attributable to complications from flame burns.These findings highlight the frequency and severity of burn injuries, identify vulnerable population groups and list common causes of burns in this large developing country of 160 million people. Furthermore, these findings may be applicable to the epidemiology and outcome of burns in similar low and middle income countries.     

Epidemiology of livestock-related injuries in a major trauma center in Kashan, Iran

Objective:Livestock-related injuries are one of the important factors causing morbidity and mortality in patients admitted to hospital.Treatment of these patients is still a major problem in health car...     

Outcome of major cardiac injuries at a Canadian trauma center

Background  

Canadian trauma units have relatively little experience with major cardiac trauma (disruption of a cardiac chamber) so injury outcome may not be comparable to that reported from other countries. We compared our outcomes to those of other centers.     

Scarf-related injuries at a major trauma center in northern India

Purpose: Scarf is a long loose piece of cloth worn around the neck and shoulder. Despite cultural association of this apparel, it is part of numerous injury episodes of varying enormity. Entanglement of loose scarf in spoke wheels of bike, tricycle, belt driven machines like sugarcane juice machine, thresher, grinding machines, etc is observed both in social and industrial milieu. This study aims to investigate the scarf-related injuries at a major trauma center in northern India.Methods: From June 2013 to May 2015, a hospital-based prospective observational study was done inpatients who presented to a level 1 trauma center in northern India with the mode of injury involvingscarf around the neck. Demographic profile, mode of trauma, contributing factors, injury pattern, and the early management as well as early complications were recorded.Results: There were 76 injuries directly related from scarf with the mean age of patients being 32.4 years. The most common primary factor involved was rotating wheel of motorbike/tricycle (46.1%), followed by belt driven machines (28.9%). The spectrum of injuries was diverse, including minor abrasions or lacerations (53.9%), large lacerations (15.8%), fractures and spine trauma (18.4%), mangled extremity and amputations (7.9%) and death (3.9%). More severe injury patterns were noted with belt driven machines.Conclusion: Scarf-related injuries constitute a sizable proportion of trauma, with varying degrees ofseverity. Devastating consequences in significant proportion of cases dictate the call for a prevention plan comprising both educational and legislative measures. Urgent preventive measures targeting scarfrelated injuries will help reduce mortality and morbidity.     

Epidemiological characteristics of burn injuries in Iraq: A burn hospital-based study

This study was conducted to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of burn injuries, estimate the case fatality rate for burn patients, and determine the main determinants of the associated death among burn patients who were admitted to Baghdad Burn Hospital, Medical City Teaching Hospitals, Baghdad, Iraq during 2015. This study involved a retrospective review of medical records of all burn patients who were admitted to Baghdad Burn Hospital in 2015. Data were collected using a special form and included information on demographic characteristics and burn characteristics and outcomes. A total of 676 patients with burn were included in this study, who constituted 75% of admitted patients. The remaining was admitted for treatment of old scars. About one third of patients (37.0%) aged 21–30 years, 67.1% were males, 34.8% were military personnel, and 60.7% of the patients had primary school education. About 71.6% of patients were burned by flame and 23.4% were burned by hot fluid. Half of patients had a second degree burns. Almost half of patients had 11–20% of their body surface area affected. About 13% of patients died, mainly due to multiple organs failure (53.3%), septicemia (44.4%), and shock (2.2%). In conclusion, young adults and children, males, and low educated patients represent the majority of admitted burn cases in Iraq. Flame and scalds were the most important causes of burn. More than one tenth of patients died mostly due to septicemia and multi-organ failure.     

广州市五所医院臂丛神经损伤流行病学回顾性研究

目的通过对广州市五所医院臂丛神经损伤患者的流行病学调查，了解臂丛损伤的构成及其发病学特点。方法回顾性调查广州市五所医院近十年收治的452例臂丛损伤的病例。根据性别、年龄、损伤部位等，分析该群体的流行病学特征。结果20～39岁年龄组占64．6％，男女性别比为6：1。工人、农民工占62．4％，无业人员占11．7％。摩托车伤占45．1％，机动车辆伤占20．4％。损伤类型：全臂丛损伤占33．6％，上中干损伤占17．3％，上干损伤占12．6％。臂丛损伤合并多发伤的占74．6％，其中头部外伤占多发伤的57．0％。结论臂丛损伤主要发生在青壮年男性，摩托车和机动车辆伤是臂丛损伤的主要原因；加强臂丛交通伤的预防医学，有助于减少臂丛损伤的发生率。     

A cross-sectional study of knife injuries at a London major trauma centre

INTRODUCTION

No national recording systems for knife injuries exist in the UK. Understanding the true size and nature of the problem of knife injuries is the first stage in reducing the burden of this injury. The aim of this study was to survey every knife injury seen in a single inner city emergency department (ED) over a one-year period.

METHODS

A cross-sectional observational study was performed of all patients attending with a knife injury to the ED of a London major trauma centre in 2011. Demographic characteristics, patterns of injury, morbidity and mortality data were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 938 knife injuries were identified from 127,191 attendances (0.77% of all visits) with a case fatality rate of 0.53%. A quarter (24%) of the major trauma team’s caseload was for knife injuries. Overall, 44% of injuries were selfreported as assaults, 49% as accidents and 8% as deliberate self-harm. The highest age specific incident rate occurred in the 16–24 year age category (263/100,000). Multiple injuries were seen in 19% of cases, of which only 81% were recorded as assaults. The mean length of stay for those admitted to hospital was 3.04 days. Intrathoracic injury was seen in 26% of cases of chest trauma and 24% of abdominal injuries had a second additional chest injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Violent intentional injuries are a significant contributory factor to the workload of the major trauma team at this centre. This paper contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the nature of these injuries seen in the ED.     

Characteristics of burn patients at a major burn center in Shanghai

In China, burns are becoming a major cause of morbidity and mortality with large societal and economic implications. To date, there is little epidemiological data on burns in China to direct prevention efforts. This study describes the characteristics of burn patients admitted to a major burn center in Shanghai using a burn registry developed in Toronto, Canada. A retrospective review of burn patients discharged from the Shanghai's Rui Jin Hospital Burn Unit, between March 1st 2002 and April 30th 2003, was conducted. Of 527 patients discharged, 307 were acute burn patients and 302 (98.4%) had complete data to be included in the study. There were 214 (71%) males and 88 (29%) females with a male to female ratio of 2.4:1. The median age was 30 years, and the median total body surface area burned was 10%. The majority of burns occurred at work (58%), and the most frequent etiology was flames (39%) followed by scalds (31%) and contact with hot objects (15%). Sixteen (5%) patients had inhalation injury and six (2%) patients died. There were 70 (23%) children (0–14 years), 221 (73%) adults (15–59 years) and 11 (4%) seniors (60 years and above). Children had more scald burns (83%) and the majority (83%) occurred at home. Adults had more flame burns (46%) and the majority (79%) were work-related injuries. Seniors had more flame burns (73%) and the majority (55%) occurred in domestic incidents. Seniors had deeper burns (13%, p = 0.005), required more escharotomies (55%, p = 0.002), required more operations (2, p = 0.051) and had higher mortality (36%, p < 0.001) than other age groups. These results provide compelling evidence for performing population-based studies to identify risk factors that are susceptible to modification in each age group.     

Orthopaedic firearm injuries in children and adolescents: An eight-year experience at a major urban trauma center

IntroductionThe purpose of this study is to describe the epidemiology of orthopaedic injuries incurred secondary to firearms among children and adolescents at a major metropolitan trauma center and to identify risk factors for complications and long-term morbidity.MethodsA retrospective review was performed of consecutive patients 17 years of age and younger who sustained a firearm injury and required orthopaedic treatment at a major trauma center from 2006 to 2013. Patient demographics, injury mechanism, fracture classification, neurovascular injury, antibiotic administration, and length of hospitalization were recorded. Radiographic studies were used to determine fracture pattern, methods of stabilization, and time to union. Primary clinical outcomes include fracture nonunion, infection, and physeal arrest.Results46 patients with a mean age of 12.7 years were treated for firearm related orthopaedic injuries. 72% of the patients were ages 13–17, while 28% were 12 years of age and younger. There were 28 violent injuries (21 assaults, 7 innocent bystanders) and 16 non-violent injuries (15 unintentional discharges and 1 self-inflicted). There was a bimodal distribution of violent versus nonviolent mechanisms, with the majority of children 12 years of age and under sustaining non-violent injuries and adolescents more commonly injured with a violent mechanism.There were 44 fractures and 6 traumatic arthrotomies, with eight associated neurovascular injuries. Twenty-five patients had an orthopaedic procedure, with a total of 43 surgeries. Mean hospital length of stay was 6.8 days. There were five deep infections. Four patients developed non-unions and all of these patients had deep infections. The timing and duration of antibiotic therapy was not significantly different between those who did and did not develop infection. Of the non-operatively treated fractures, there were no infections or non-unions at long-term follow-up.ConclusionsMorbidity and mortality related to firearms is a growing public health problem in the United States. Results of this study suggest that gunshot related fractures had higher than anticipated morbidity, including permanent neurologic deficits, infection (11%) and fracture non-union (9%). More than half of patients underwent surgery and experienced long hospital stays secondary to the complexity of the injury. This epidemiological data on firearm injuries in children and adolescents is an impetus for prospective study, with the goal to increase awareness and develop treatment strategies for firearm-related fractures.     

Abdominal injuries in pregnancy: a 155-month study at two level 1 trauma centers

Introduction

Trauma in pregnancy is the leading cause of non-obstetrical maternal death and remains a major cause of fetal demise. The objective of this study was to examine the outcomes of pregnant patients sustaining abdominal injury.

Patients and methods

This is a retrospective analysis of all pregnant trauma patients admitted to two level 1 trauma centers from February 1, 1996 to December 31, 2008. Patient data abstracted included mechanism of injury, physiologic parameters on admission, Injury Severity Score (ISS), abdominal Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), gestational age, diagnostic and surgical procedures performed, complications, and maternal and fetal mortality. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used.

Results

During the 155-month study period, 321 pregnant patients were included, of which 291 (91%) sustained a blunt injury, while 30 (9%) were victims of penetrating trauma. Of the penetrating injuries, 22 (73%) were gunshot wounds, 7 (23%) stab wounds, and 1 (4%) shotgun injury. The overall maternal and fetal mortality was 3% (n = 9) and 16% (n = 45), respectively. Mean age was 22 ± 6 year-old, and the mean ISS was 12 ± 16. The overall mean abdominal AIS was 2 ± 1.2. When adjusted for age, abdominal AIS, ISS, and diastolic blood pressure, the penetrating trauma group experienced higher maternal mortality [7% vs. 2% (adjusted OR: 7; 95% CI: 0.65-79), p = 0.090], significantly higher fetal mortality [73% vs. 10% (adjusted OR: 34; 95% CI: 11-124), p < 0.0001] and maternal morbidity [66% vs. 10% (adjusted OR: 25; 95% CI: 9-79) p < 0.0001].

Conclusions

Fetal mortality and overall maternal morbidity remains exceedingly high, at 73% and 66%, respectively, following penetrating abdominal injury. Penetrating injury mechanism, severity of abdominal injury and maternal hypotension on admission were independently associated with an increased risk for fetal demise following traumatic insult during pregnancy.     

Management of high grade renal trauma: 20-year experience at a pediatric level I trauma center

PURPOSE: In the last 20 years the management of high grade, blunt renal trauma at our institution has evolved from primarily an operative approach to an expectant nonoperative approach. To evaluate our experience with the expectant nonoperative management of high grade, blunt renal trauma in children, we reviewed our 20-year experience regarding evaluation, management and outcomes in patients treated at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied all patients sustaining renal trauma between 1983 and 2003. Medical records were reviewed for mechanism of injury, assigned grade of renal injury, patient treatment, indications for and timing of surgery, and outcome. Injuries were categorized as either low grade (I to III) or high grade (IV to V). RESULTS: We reviewed the medical records of 164 consecutive children who sustained blunt renal trauma between 1983 and 2003. A total of 38 patients were excluded for inadequate information. Of the remaining 126 children 60% had low grade and 40% had high grade renal injuries. A total of 11 patients (8.7%) required surgical or endoscopic intervention for renal causes, including 2 for congenital renal abnormalities and 1 for clot retention. Eight patients (6.3%) required surgical intervention for isolated renal trauma, of whom 2 (1.6%) required immediate surgical intervention for hemodynamic instability and 6 (4.8%) were treated with a delayed retroperitoneal approach. Only 4 patients (3.2%) required nephrectomy. All patients receiving operative intervention had high grade renal injury. CONCLUSIONS: Initial nonsurgical management of high grade blunt renal trauma in children is effective and is recommended for the hemodynamically stable child. When a child has persistent symptomatic urinary extravasation delayed retroperitoneal drainage may become necessary to reduce morbidity. Minimally invasive techniques should be considered before open operative intervention. Early operative management is rarely indicated for an isolated renal injury, except in the child who is hemodynamically unstable.     

A 1 year study of burn injuries in a British Emergency Department

OBJECTIVES: To determine the number of patients attending an Emergency Department with burns and to establish the epidemiology, management and outcome of these cases. METHOD: A retrospective study of all patients attending an Emergency Department with a diagnosis of "burn" during 2004. RESULTS: Seven hundred and eighty-five patients presented with a diagnosis of burns, accounting for 1% of all attendances. Fifty-three percent of patients were male and most were young adults of working age. Scalds and flame injuries were the most common causes of injury. Only 30% of patients performed adequate first aid. The majority of burns were small and did not require admission to hospital. Assessment and documentation by the Emergency Department staff was found to be generally poor and this may reflect a lack of experience in managing burns. CONCLUSION: Burns remain a relatively uncommon presenting complaint in the Emergency Department, even in a hospital accepting tertiary referrals. Most injuries are minor and are managed within the department. This study suggests that there is a role for better education of less experienced staff in the management of burns. There remains a need for public education in the prevention and first aid of burns.     

Experience with railroad injuries at a major urban trauma center serving the United States-Mexico border

BACKGROUND: In the United States (US), railroads are commonly used to transport humans and commerce, especially along the US-Mexico border. Some people will use freight trains to travel within the US. Some of these people will suffer a train-related injury with extensive soft tissue and bone trauma. There is little information about the demographics, injuries, or outcomes of these patients, and the financial expense of providing care for these individuals. We attempt to provide insight into some of these issues. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio from January 1996 to September 2003. Various demographic, total hospital costs, operative procedures, and outcomes were examined. RESULTS: Men were well represented (61 of 67 patients), and the overall mean age was 28.8 years. Hispanics (58 of 67 patients) were the main ethnic group and 61% were undocumented aliens (41 of 67 patients). Bony and soft tissue injuries were common, necessitating an amputation in 38 patients. The mean operative procedures per patient were 2.97. Follow-up was poor. Total hospital cost for all the patients was $2,468,004.47 with a mean of $36,835.89 ($1,305.00-$331, 452.74) per patient. CONCLUSION: Victims of train-related injuries were predominantly young and male. Many patients required an amputation. Multistaged and complex reconstructive procedures may not be realistic in a group of patients in whom follow-up is poor.     

Pediatric treadmill injuries: a public health issue

Background

Treadmill injuries in children tend to be severe and are becoming increasingly common. We present an overview of this problem to promote public awareness, education, and to advocate a prevention strategy for this preventable injury.

Methods

Medical records of all children with treadmill-related injuries during a 6-year period (January 2001-November 2006) from 2 tertiary pediatric hospitals were reviewed. Data on patient demographics, injury related data, types of surgical procedure, and outcome of treatment were collected.

Results

Forty-four children with treadmill-related injuries were admitted in a 6-year period (2001-2006). Each year, the incidence increased with 17 (39%) cases occurring in 2006 so far. The median age of injury at the time of incident was 2.8 years (range, 8 months-12 years). There was a higher incidence in males (55%) compared with females (45%). Most of these injuries were to the hand (75%), full-thickness burns (59%), <1% of total burn surface area (TBSA) (73%), and occurred while the treadmill was in use by an adult (34%). Twenty-one (47%) children required skin grafting surgery.

Conclusion

Treadmill-related burn injuries in children are a serious public health issue and warrants considerable attention. Adult supervision is paramount, and prevention strategies should include child safety features in equipment designs.     

创伤中心对提升严重多发伤患者救治效果的初步探索

目的:探讨创伤中心建设对严重多发伤患者救治效果的影响。方法:采用回顾性队列研究分析南华大学附属第二医院2015年10月至2019年9月收治的严重多发伤患者资料。以创伤中心建设后（2017年10月至2019年9月）救治的102例患者为研究组,创伤中心建设前（2015年10月至2017年9月）救治的126例患者为对照组,比...     

手外伤病因、发病学特点与社会学后果的前瞻性研究

目的 了解广州及周边经济相对发达地区的急诊手外伤的病因、发病学特点与社会学后果。方法 对１９９８年度广州中山医科大学附属第一医院急诊手外伤住院患者８６例，进行前瞻性调查和随访分析。结果 中重度手外伤占同期住院治疗的骨科急诊总数的３３．６％。每天在１２～１８时最易受伤。机械制造业、木工、建筑工和农民是手外伤的高发工种；冲压机床、电锯、电刨和刀及摩托车是中最常见的至 物。人为因素仍是手外伤发生的主要原     

Longboard injuries treated at a level 1 pediatric trauma center

Introduction

Recreation on longboards is gaining in popularity. The purpose of this study is to detail the injury patterns, treatment and management of children with longboarding injuries seen at a level 1 pediatric trauma center.

Outcome of selective CT vs. pan-CT scan in elderly trauma patients: A retrospective cohort study in a level 1 trauma center

Purpose: There are currently no clear guidelines for use of pan- or selective CT in elderly trauma patients and this subject matter remains controversial. The aim of this study is to compare the outcome of elderly trauma patients in a level 1 trauma centre who required a pan- or selective CT scan on admission.Methods: The Trauma Audit Research Network database was reviewed to identify eligible patients ( 65 years) over a one-year period, from January 2018 to January 2019. Patients’ demographics, mechanism of injury, injury severity score, length of hospital stay (LOS), mortality and type of CT scans done were recorded. The inclusion criteria were elderly patients 65 years involved in acute trauma setting (less than one day between incident and emergency department presentation and blunt mechanism of injury). Exclusion criteria were patients <65 years, perforating mechanism of injury and patients with delayed presentation more than one day after the incident, and patients who have not got any CT scan atpresentation. Statistical analyses were undertaken on SPSS (version 25.0; IBM, New York, USA).Results: In total, 481 patients with the mean age of 80.8 years were evaluated (48.6% male). Among them 232 cases were multiple injuries while 249 were single system injuries. And 235 patients (48.8%) underwent pan-CT in whom 66.8% were multiple injuries; 246 (51.1%) did selective CT scan in whom 69.5% were single system injuries. In multiple injury patients, performing a pan-CT scan on presentation was associated with shorter LOS compared to those who had a selective CT, in which 76.4% patients spent < 21 days in the pan-CT group compared to 16.0% for those investigated by selective CT scan (p < 0.001); and 2.5% spent > 60 days in pan-CT group compared to 64% in selective CT group (p < 0.0001). Performing pan-CT was also associated with lower need to repeat CT (p < 0.01). In patients with a single system injury, no differences were found in LOS or the need to repeat CT if either pan-CT or selective CT were requested.Conclusion: We recommend doing pan-CT scan in all elderly patients with multiple system injuries as it decreases the LOS and the need for another CT during hospital stay. No difference in LOS or the need to repeat another CT if pan-CT or selective CT were requested initially in single system injuries. Although age and injury severity score are poor predictors for the need to do pan-CT, the mechanism of injury may be helpful.