瘢痕削除后刃厚皮片移植治疗烧伤后增生性瘢痕

目的：探讨烧伤后增生性瘢痕修复的手术方法。方法：1998-2004年，对14例30个部位烧伤后增生性瘢痕进行瘢痕削除后刃厚皮片移植。结果：所有病人术后外观改善，症状消除，效果满意。结论：瘢痕削除后刃厚皮片移植手术简单实用，在大面积深度烧伤后非功能部位增生性瘢痕的修复中尤为适用。     

Skin Burns Associated with Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Cardiac Arrhythmias

Skin burns are a rare complication associated with radiofrequency catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias. Burns related to the indifferent electrode patch may be severe and result in significant comorbidity. We describe our experience of skin burns and discuss potential predisposing and possible causative factors.     

Clinically Important Change in the Visual Analog Scale after Adequate Pain Control

OBJECTIVES: To define the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) for the visual analog scale (VAS) of pain severity by measuring the change in VAS associated with adequate pain control. METHODS: The authors conducted a prospective, observational study. Adult emergency department (ED) patients with acute pain (<72 hours) were eligible. Patients rated their pain severity on a 100-mm VAS on presentation and at discharge. Patients were asked if they would accept any analgesic, then if they would accept a parenteral analgesic before treatment. At discharge, they were asked whether they had received adequate pain control. RESULTS: The authors enrolled 143 patients (mean age, 36 years; 54% female). The mean decrease in VAS was -30.0 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] = -36.4 to -23.6) for the 116 of 143 (81%) patients with adequate pain control at discharge vs. -5.7 (95% CI = -11.2 to -0.3) for the 27 with inadequate pain control (p < 0.001). At discharge, the mean VAS was 31.3 mm for those with adequate pain control vs. 55.1 for those without. Mean VAS for the 114 of 143 patients who would accept any analgesics initially was 64.7 vs. 47.1 for the 29 reporting no analgesic need. Initially, 77 patients would accept parenteral analgesics (mean VAS = 72.5 mm). CONCLUSIONS: A mean reduction in VAS of 30.0 mm represents a clinically important difference in pain severity that corresponds to patients' perception of adequate pain control. Defining MCID based on adequate analgesic control rather than minimal detectable change may be more appropriate for future analgesic trials, when effective treatments for acute pain exist.     

The Effects of a High-potency Topical Steroid on Cutaneous Healing of Burns in Pigs

OBJECTIVE: Burns are dynamic injuries that tend to progress over the course of several days. Steroids inhibit the formation of vasoconstrictive prostanoids that may contribute to this progression of injury. The authors hypothesized that adding topical steroids to a standard antimicrobial agent would reduce the progression of burns and accelerate reepithelialization without increasing infection rates. METHODS: This was a prospective, blinded, controlled, experimental trial. Forty-eight standardized second-degree burns were created by applying an aluminum bar preheated to 80 degrees C to the flanks of isoflurane-anesthetized young pigs for 20 seconds. Three equal sets of 16 burns were randomly treated with silver sulfadiazine cream (SSD), clobetasol propionate 0.05% (CP), or both (SSD+CP). Daily dressing changes were performed for 14 days. Full-thickness biopsies were taken after injury and at one, two, seven, ten, and 14 days for blinded histopathological evaluation using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The primary outcome was the % reepithelialization (REP) calculated by dividing the length of the neoepidermis by the section's total length (interobserver correlation = 0.99). Depth of injury was measured for each dermal element (collagen; epithelial, mesenchymal, and vascular cells; and vessel thrombosis). Comparisons across groups were performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare injury depths over time. This study had 80% power to detect a 33-percentage point difference in REP across groups (two-tailed alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: Pretreatment burn depths were similar across groups. While burn depth changed over time, there was no difference between the groups in burn injury progression. There was no difference across the groups in REP or infection rates at all times. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of a potent topical steroid to standard antimicrobial topical agents does not reduce burn depth or accelerate reepithelialization after burns.     

Determination of the Minimal Clinically Significant Difference on a Patient Visual Analog Satisfaction Scale

Abstract. Objective:To determine the minimal clinically significant difference (MCSD) on a visual analog patient satisfaction scale.
Methods:The authors prospectively collected patient satisfaction evaluations during a clinical trial assessing the effect of introducing personal television sets on overall patient satisfaction from their ED encounters. Patient satisfaction was assessed with 2 scales: a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) (0 = least satisfied, 100 = most satisfied) and a 7-point categorical scale ("terrible,""mostly dissatisfied,""mixed,""partially satisfied,""mostly satisfied,""pleased," and "delighted"). The differences between the mean VAS scores of "delighted" and "pleased" patients, and between "pleased" and "mostly satisfied" patients were used to determine the MCSD on the VAS. Reliability of each of the scales was determined.
Results:181 patients were evaluated. Mean age was 41 years; 59% were female. On a subset of 19 patients, the VAS yielded an interobserver correlation of 0.93. The kappa measurement of agreement on the categorical scale was 0.77. The mean difference between "delighted" and "pleased" patient VAS satisfaction scores was 6.8 mm (95% CI, 1.3–12.3 mm). The mean difference between "pleased" and "mostly satisfied" patient VAS satisfaction scores was 10.7 mm (95% CI, 5.5–15.8 mm).
Conclusion:The MCSD in patient satisfaction scores measured with a 100-mm VAS was approximately 7–11 mm. Future studies evaluating differences in patient satisfaction should be designed to detect this difference.     

The Numeric Rating Scale for Clinical Pain Measurement: A Ratio Measure?

? Abstract: The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS‐11) has been widely used clinically for the assessment of pain. Its use for clinical research is controversial. Reports differ as to whether or not the NRS‐11 should be treated as a ratio pain measurement tool. This study compared the NRS‐11 to a ratio measure for pain assessment: the visual analog scale (VAS). Simultaneous pain measurements using these 2 scales were compared in clinical situations commonly encountered in a tertiary community hospital. Whereas linear relationships were noted in laboring patients and in postoperative patients with thoracic or abdominal incisions during cough, no such correlations were noted for the same postoperative patients at rest or for postoperative orthopedic patients. The NRS‐11 should not be considered to be interchangeable with the VAS. Its use for clinical research should be limited to situations where it has specifically demonstrated linear properties. ?     

烧伤并发抑郁患者对不同情绪图片注意的空间偏向研究

目的:研究烧伤并发抑郁情绪患者注意的空间偏向。方法:40例烧伤患者按有无抑郁情绪分为抑郁组和无抑郁组各20例,另设正常对照组26例,均采用Posner点探测实验范式及国际情绪刺激图片系统进行检测,分析烧伤并发抑郁患者对不同情绪图片注意的空间偏向。结果:与无抑郁组及对照组比较,抑郁组患者对负性图片的注意反应时短,正确率高,对阈下负性图片的注意偏向明显,在注意任务过程中倾向于选择负性情绪刺激(P0.05、0.01)。结论:烧伤并发抑郁患者认知过程中注意的负性选择偏向可能是其负性情绪的重要认知中介。     

Magnesium–Aluminum Hydroxide Suspension for the Treatment of Dermal Capsaicin Exposures

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether magnesium-aluminum-hydroxide-simethicone suspension (MgAl) is an effective treatment for dermal capsaicin exposures. METHODS: The authors performed a double-blind, randomized, controlled, pilot study comparing the effect of MgAl with that of saline in the treatment of dermal capsaicin exposures. Ten volunteers were sprayed with a commercial defensive spray containing 10% capsaicin on the flexor surface of both forearms. A dressing embedded with MgAl (Maalox) suspension was randomly applied to one arm and a saline-embedded dressing was applied to the other arm. Pain was assessed on a 10-cm visual analog scale at 0, 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes. RESULTS: Mean pain scores were significantly lower in the MgAl group as compared with the saline (S) group at 10, 20, and 30 minutes. Differences in pain scores were not statistically significant at times 60, 90, and 120 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: During the initial 30 minutes of treatment, there was a statistically significant decrease in pain scores with MgAl as compared with saline treatments. Although the difference in means may have questionable clinical significance, MgAl is cheap and readily available, and has minimal side effects. Thus, MgAl may be an appropriate treatment for dermal capsaicin exposure.     

早期应用辐照氟银猪皮对浅Ⅱ度烧伤创面愈合作用的临床研究

目的探讨早期应用辐照氟银猪皮对浅Ⅱ度烧伤创面的愈合作用。方法对20例大面积浅Ⅱ度烧伤患者早期应用辐照氟银猪皮治疗,观察其对创面愈合作用的影响。结果所有病例创面均顺利愈合,创面平均愈合时间为（9.2±1.2）d,且愈合后色素沉着、瘢痕少,无一例发生感染,平稳度过休克期,均无局部刺激症状和过敏反应,肝、肾功能,血常规检查指标均正常。结论早期应用辐照氟银猪皮治疗大面积浅Ⅱ度烧伤创面愈合快,最大限度地保留创面再生能力,给创面愈合提供了良好的内环境。同时患者病情平稳、疼痛轻、瘢痕少,提高了生活质量。     

The Demands of 24/7 Coverage: Using Faculty Perceptions to Measure Fairness of the Schedule

OBJECTIVES: Ensuring fair, equitable scheduling of faculty who work 24-hour, 7-day-per-week (24/7) clinical coverage is a challenge for academic emergency medicine (EM). Because most emergency department care is at personally valuable times (evenings, weekends, nights), optimizing clinical work is essential for the academic mission. To evaluate schedule fairness, the authors developed objective criteria for stress of the schedule, modified the schedule to improve equality, and evaluated faculty perceptions. They hypothesized that improved equality would increase faculty satisfaction. METHODS: Perceived stress was measured for types of clinical shifts. The seven daily shifts were classified as weekday, weekend, or holiday (plus one unique teaching-conference coverage shift). Faculty assigned perceived stress to shifts (ShiftStress) utilizing visual analog scales (VAS). Faculty schedules were measured (ShiftScores) for two years (1998-1999), and ShiftScore distribution of faculty was determined quarterly. Schedules were modified (1999) to reduce interindividual ShiftScore standard deviation (SD). The survey was performed pre- and postintervention. RESULTS: Preintervention, 26 faculty (100% of eligible) assigned VAS to 22 shifts. Increased stress was perceived in progression (weekday data, 0-10 scale) from day to evening to night (2.07, 5.00, 6.67, respectively) and from weekday to weekend to holiday (day-shift data, 2.07, 4.93, 5.87). The intervention reduced interindividual ShiftScore SD by 21%. Postintervention survey revealed no change in perceived equality or satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Faculty perceived no improvement despite scheduling modifications that improved equality of the schedule and provided objective measures. Other predictors of stress, fairness, and satisfaction with the demanding clinical schedule must be identified to ensure the success of EM faculty.     

视觉模拟量表和语言评价量表用于术后疼痛评估的比较

目的探讨是否可以使用简单的语言评价量表代替视觉模拟量表进行手术后疼痛的评估。方法将美国麻醉医师协会(ASA)Ⅰ -Ⅲ级的120例患者依其受教育程度的高低分2组 :初中及初中以下文化程度组(Ⅰ组 ,n=45) ,高中及高中以上文化程度组 (Ⅱ组 ,n=75)。患者于术后进行视觉模拟量表(VAS)和语言评价量表(VRS)的填写。麻醉医生对如何进行量表的填写向患者进行解释 ,并记录以下数据 :每位患者VAS和VRS的数值 ,填写VAS和VRS量表前向患者解释的次数 (Nvas和Nvrs)。结果Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组的VAS和VRS评分均有显著相关性 (P<0.01) ,其相关系数分别为0.936和0.901。在Ⅰ组中Nvas较Nvrs高 (P<0.05) ,同时Nvas在Ⅰ组中较Ⅱ组中高 (P<0.05) ,但在Ⅱ组中Nvas和Nvrs无显著差异(P>0.05)。结论在对患者进行术后疼痛评定时VRS和VAS具有良好的相关性 ,而VRS更适用于文化程度低及抽象概念理解有困难的患者 ,如老人     

The Effects of Octylcyanoacrylate on Scarring after Burns

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of octylcyanoacrylate (OCA), silver sulfadiazine (SSD), polyurethane film (PU), and dry gauze (G) on scarring three months after partial-thickness burns. METHODS: This was a prospective, blinded, controlled experimental trial using isoflurane-anesthetized swine. Standardized partial-thickness burns were inflicted by applying an aluminum bar preheated to 80 degrees C to the backs and flanks of a young pig for 20 seconds. Four equal sets of ten burns each were randomly treated with OCA spray, SSD, PU, or G. Dressing changes were performed on days 1, 2, 3, and 4 after injury. Digital images of the burns were obtained immediately and three months later for masked computerized determination of scar surface area. Full-thickness biopsies were taken at three months for masked histopathological evaluation. The primary outcome was the percent reduction in residual wound area (RWA) calculated by subtracting the area of each individual burn from the area of the largest burn and dividing this value by the area of the largest burn (intraobserver correlation, r = 0.99). Secondary outcomes were the proportion of burns with the presence of scar tissue (abnormal collagen under polarized light; intraobserver agreement, kappa = 0.93) and the cosmetic appearance on a 100-mm visual analog scale marked "best scar" at the high end (inter-observer correlation, r = 0.82). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi(2) tests were used for group comparisons as appropriate. This study had 80% power to detect a 33-percentage-point difference in RWA among groups (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: A total of 40 burns were inflicted on the pig. There was no difference in percent RWA across the groups (OCA = 25%, SSD = 40%, PU = 25%, G = 32%; p = 0.13). There was no difference in the proportion of wounds with scarring among the groups (OCA = 10%, SSD = 22%, PU = 2%, G = 30%; p = 0.89). There was also no difference in the cosmetic scores among the groups (OCA = 78 mm, SSD = 75 mm, PU = 74 mm, G = 74 mm; p = 0.96). CONCLUSIONS: The effects of OCA spray, SSD, PU, and dry gauze on scarring three months after burns in pigs are similar.     

Stability, responsiveness, and reproducibility of a visual analog scale for treatment satisfaction in migraine

Objectives.— To evaluate the stability, responsiveness, and reproducibility of a simple visual analog scale (VAS). Background.— In order to help physicians in the management of migraine in everyday general practice and assess whether the treatments that they are currently prescribing are actually effective, a VAS of treatment satisfaction with acute migraine treatments has been developed. Methods.— The study used an open‐label, multicenter, prospective design. Adult patients fulfilling diagnostic criteria for migraine and who consulted a participating hospital or community neurology clinic were eligible. At inclusion, patients rated their satisfaction with their current treatment on the VAS. Those scoring 7‐10 (satisfied) on the VAS were allocated to the VASCO cohort, and those scoring 0‐4 (dissatisfied) were switched to almotriptan and allocated to the ALMO cohort. Patients scoring between 4 and 7 were assigned to 1 or other cohort at the physician's discretion. The VAS was re‐administered at home the next day and also after the treatment of 3 further headaches, both at home and at a follow‐up visit. Results.— Ninety‐eight patients in the VASCO cohort and 102 in the ALMO cohort were analyzed. Stability was evaluated in the VASCO cohort: 55/98 patients initially satisfied with treatment remained so at study end, whereas 7/98 became dissatisfied. Responsiveness of the VAS to a change in treatment was evaluated in the ALMO cohort: 64/102 patients moved to a higher treatment satisfaction category, whereas 6/102 moved to a lower one. Reproducibility of the VAS was determined in 4 settings (both at the inclusion visit and at study closure in both cohorts). In each setting, VAS scores were compared between consultation and at‐home ratings. In 3 of the 4 settings (both measures in the ALMO cohort and at study closure in the VASCO cohort), good agreement was observed between the 2 ratings (κ = 0.62‐0.69). At inclusion in the VASCO cohort, agreement was only fair (κ = 0.33). Conclusions.— The VAS scale described here is a responsive and easy‐to‐use tool for evaluating treatment satisfaction and for monitoring changes to treatment if these are required.     

The Effects of Epidermal Debridement of Partial-thickness Burns on Infection and Reepithelialization in Swine

OBJECTIVE: Early postburn debridement of burn blisters is controversial. This study was conducted to compare rates of infection and reepithelialization in debrided vs nondebrided second-degree burns in swine. METHODS: This was a prospective, blinded, controlled, experimental trial using isoflurane-anesthetized swine. Standardized partial-thickness burns were inflicted by applying an aluminum bar preheated to 80 degrees C to the backs and flanks of two young pigs for 20 seconds. In half of the burns the necrotic epidermis was manually debrided. All burns were randomly treated with octylcyanoacrylate spray (OCA) or dry gauze (C). Full-thickness biopsies were taken at 7, 10, and 14 days for blinded histopathologic evaluation. The primary outcomes were the proportions of infected burns at days 7 and 10 and the proportion of completely reepithelialized burns at day 14. Burns were considered infected in the presence of intradermal neutrophils containing bacteria (intraobserver agreement, K = 1.00). A secondary outcome was the proportion of burns with the presence of scar tissue (abnormal collagen under polarized light; intraobserver correlation, K = 0.93). Chi-square tests were used for group comparisons. This study had 90% power to detect a 40-percentage-point difference in infection rates (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: A total of 126 biopsies from 42 burns were available for review. Infection rates were higher in the debrided burns both at day 7 (55% vs 4.5%, p < 0.001) and at day 10 (65% vs 9%, p < 0.001) after injury. The proportion of nondebrided burns that were completely reepithelialized was higher at days 10 (68% vs 0%, p < 0.001) and 14 (100% vs 65%, p = 0.003). The presence of scar tissue was more common in debrided burns (75% vs 4.5%, p < 0.001). Burns treated with OCA had fewer infections than controls (4% vs 55%, p < 0.001). Fewer OCA-treated debrided burns were reepithelialized at 14 days than those that were not debrided (30% vs 100%, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Under the current study conditions, early postburn epidermal debridement of second-degree burns resulted in more infections and slower reepithelialization rates in swine. The effects of early postburn epidermal debridement in humans should be explored.     

Octylcyanoacrylate for the Treatment of Partial-thickness Burns in Swine: A Randomized, Controlled Experiment

OBJECTIVE: To compare re-epithelialization rates of superficial partial-thickness burns treated with octylcyanoacrylate (OCA), silver sulfadiazine (SSD), and dry gauze (controls) in swine. METHODS: This was a prospective, longitudinal, blinded, controlled, experimental trial using anesthetized swine. Sixty-three standardized burns were created by applying an aluminum bar preheated to 80 degrees C for 20 seconds to the flanks of four young pigs. Three equal sets of 21 burns were randomly treated with OCA spray, SSD, or dry gauze (controls). Full-thickness biopsies were taken after 30 minutes and at seven and 14 days for blinded histopathologic evaluation by two dermatopathologists using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The percent of wound re-epithelialization was measured at days 7 and 14, calculated by dividing the length of the regenerated epidermis by the measured width of the biopsy. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and repeated-measures ANOVA controlling for the individual pig were used for comparisons among groups. This study had 80% power to demonstrate a large between-group difference in percent re-epithelization (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: There were 63 burns and 126 biopsies. Ten biopsies were excluded for technical reasons. At seven days, there was a significant between-group difference in percent re-epithelialization. Percent re-epithelialization was greatest in the OCA group (65.0%), followed by the SSD group (37.6%), and lowest in the control group (8.8%). At 14 days, all wounds demonstrated near complete re-epithelialization and there was no significant difference in the percent of re-epithelialization among the groups. There was only one wound infection in the OCA group. CONCLUSIONS: Under these study conditions, treatment of partial-thickness burns with OCA spray resulted in a higher percent of re-epithelialization at seven but not 14 days when compared with both SSD and control, with no significant increase in infection rates. Future studies should evaluate the use of OCA for the treatment of burns in humans.     

Chest Pain A Manifestation of Migraine

Background

Chest pain is an alarming symptom; it justifies many visits to the emergency department (ED). The etiology is often unknown. Chest wall pain in the presence of migraine headache, although not a common occurrence, is intriguing when it resolves with antimigraine treatment.

Objectives

To characterize the manifestations and outcomes and investigate the relationship between chest wall pain and headache as a manifestation of migraine exacerbation.

Methods

Among patients visiting our ED, we identified those individuals whose pain originated in the chest wall in the setting of migraine exacerbation. Patients with clinical indications for specific treatments were dispositioned accordingly. Control of symptoms including chest pain and headache with antimigraine agents was considered the primary outcome. A prospective follow-up via telephone interview and medical records review was performed.

Results

We collected a convenience sample of 33 patients. All manifested migraine headache with an earlier onset than the chest pain, and all had taken medications prior to visiting the ED. Twelve patients reported a higher visual analog scale score for the headache than for the chest pain. Still, chest pain was the main complaint. The chest pain originated at the chest wall. Ten patients received sublingual nitroglycerin or opiates, or both; no pain relief was reported. However, all symptoms resolved with metoclopramide. On follow-up, 6 patients reported recurrence of chest pain with subsequent migraines.

Conclusions

Chest pain can be a complication of migraine. The treatment should be focused on migraine control. Migraine should be included in the differential diagnosis of chest pain.