Some problems in blood transfusions in burn patients

A decrease in the blood volume and its components was found in 65 burn patients, graded in 3 groups according to the degree of the injury and the burned surface area. The blood volume is restored after the first 24 hours in patients with superficial burns. The RBC volume, however, is not restored and demonstrates a tendency to decrease during the shock phase in patients with moderate and severe burns. These patients need the first blood transfusion about the twenty-fourth hour after the injury.Antileucocyte iso-antibodies in 66 per cent, antierythrocyte antibodies in 24·5 per cent and anti-platelet antibodies in 5·6 per cent were demonstrated in burn patients who had received multiple blood transfusions. The iso-immunization may be avoided using leucocyte and erythrocyte compatible blood. This is a way to avoid the post-transfusion reactions and the danger of early rejection of allotransplanted skin grafts.     

Effects of early hypnosis on the cardiovascular and renal physiology of burn patients

Sixteen patients with body surface area (BSA) burns of 4 per cent to 83 per cent, with whom single hypnotherapeutic interventions were attempted 5·3±3·4 h post burn, were compared to 16 matched controls. Ten physiological parameters related to fluid volume and haemodynamics were recorded on the first two post burn days. The only significant difference discovered was elevated urine output 0–48 h post burn in successfully hypnotized patients (P=0·01). This difference was inversely related (r=?0·94, P=0·009) to burn size from a 10 per cent BSA burn (3·9 litres/48 h) to a 35 per cent BSA burn (1·6 litres/48 h). A statistically suggestive (P=0·13) increase in urine output occurred in patients in whom hypnotic trance induction was unsuccessfully attempted. Patients with BSA burn sizes ≥ 50 per cent, who presented with significant physiological stress and hypovolemia, were found not to be susceptible to hypnotic trance induction, and derived no physiological benefit. Attempted hypnotherapeutic intervention per se, with its psychotherapeutic component, may act only to reduce affective or psychological stress and anxiety. This psychological stress reduction apparently facilitates the loss of retained fluid in patients with small burns by a mechanism which is overwhelmed by the physiological stress of a major burn injury.     

Release of burn scar contractures of the neck in paediatric patients

Burn scar contractures of the neck represent a continuing problem for plastic surgeons. A review of 143 neck-release procedures performed at the Cincinnati Shriners Burns Institute documented a high rate of contracture recurrence. This was especially true in those patients who had previously suffered burns to the entire anterior neck. Treatment of this condition with Z-plasties, or releasing incisions with split thickness skin grafts, had a recurrence rate of 81 per cent and 62 per cent, respectively. The use of a neck hyper-extension brace for over 1 year following skin grafting decreased the recurrence rate to 17 per cent. In patients who were not compliant in wearing a brace, the best result was obtained by using a full thickness skin graft in the release site. Contractures resulting from smaller burns were successfully handled by a variety of techniques.     

Survey of 1000 admissions to a burns unit SSKM hospital,Calcutta

A series of 1000 cases treated in our Burns Unit in Calcutta is reported. Of those, 688 cases (68·8 per cent) were between the ages 11 to 50 years, 274 (27·4 per cent) were children below 10 years and the remaining 38 (3·8 per cent) were above 50 years. Out of the children, 180 were boys and 94 girls. In the adult group there were 354 males and 372 females. Mortality rate was 20·4 per cent in this series. This high figure is due to the high rate of suicide; 74 out of 204 deaths were due to suicidal burns. In these cases, burns were extensive and deep in nature and the patients have no will to live. In the remaining 130 cases, the burns were caused by domestic or industrial accidents. Overall mortality rate was much lower than when the burns cases were treated in general wards along with surgical and medical cases.This paper brings out the importance of having a separate burns unit for acute burns cases, where specially trained nursing staff and doctors look after the patients.     

The evaporative water loss from burns and the water-vapour permeability of grafts and artificial membranes used in the treatment of burns

The evaporative water loss from burns, granulating wounds and donor sites was calculated from measurements of the vapour-pressure gradient of the air layer close to the skin. Soon after burning the mean value and s.e. mean for the rate of evaporation from partial- and full-thickness burns was 178·1 ± 5·5 g m^?2 h^?1 and 143·2 ± 4·5 g m^?2 h^?1 respectively. Uncovered granulating wounds lost water at 214·1 ± 8·4 g m^?2 h^?1, while fresh donor sites during the first postoperative day lost water at 176·0 ± 14·5 g m^?2h^?1, which gradually decreased during the following week to 73·2 ± 12·0 g m^?2 h^?1 as the wound healed.When burned skin was covered with grafts or artificial membranes the evaporative water loss was reduced by a degree depending on the vapour permeability of the cover applied. Compared with the rate of evaporation of water from uncovered tissue, fresh biological dressings reduced the rate of loss by 90 per cent and frozen porcine heterograft skin (Skintec) by 63 per cent. An artificial dressing (Op-Site) reduced the rate of evaporation by 73 per cent while collagen film (Cutycol) and microporous polypropylene film (Epigard) were almost completely permeable to water vapour.     

Burn injuries in Lagos

Eighty-nine cases of burns admitted to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital during an 8-year period (1968–1975) have been studied. The age incidence ranged from 1 day to 54 years. Fifty cases (56·2 per cent) occurred in children below the age of 15 years. Thirty-nine (43·8 per cent) were adults, aged 15 years and above. Sixty-three cases (70·8 per cent) were domestic accidents. There was a mortality rate of 13·5 per cent. There was severe morbidity in the surviving cases, the average admission period in 73 cases being 37 days and the average total healing time in 57 cases being 54 days. The most troublesome late complications were contractures, hypertrophic or keloid scars and failure of repigmentation. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 64 per cent of the incidence of wound sepsis.Health education has an important role to play in the prevention of burn accidents both in the home and in industry. In particular, it is suggested that cooking above floor level and closer supervision of children should reduce the incidence of domestic bums in younger children, while stricter factory inspection, with rigorous enforcement of industrial safety laws, should reduce the incidence of industrial burn accidents in the working adult population.     

A report of 115 consecutive autopsies in burned children: 1966–1980

The overall mortality rate at the Shriners Burns Institute, Galveston Unit, decreased from 14 per cent in 1966, to 2·8 per cent in 1980.In all, 74·8 per cent of the deaths were associated with sepsis, and pulmonary lesions were the most frequent fatal complications (75·6 per cent).The burn wound was the major source of sepsis (62·7 per cent). Pseudomonas, E. coli, Klebsiella, Candida spp. and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common cultured bacteria.After a new standard fluid resuscitation programme, tangential excision and surgical management of the burn wound sepsis were adopted, the fatalities decreased from an average annual mortality rate of 11·5 per cent in the years 1966–1975, to an average annual mortality rate of 2·8 per cent in the period 1976–1980.After the routine antacid and milk diet were adopted (1970), the percentage of stomach and duodenal ulcers found at autopsy decreased from 2·0 per cent to 0·8 per cent, and from 3·5 per cent to 0·5 per cent respectively.The morphological alterations in the lymphoid tissue, reflecting a defect in T-cell function and stimulation of B-cell function, were present up to 114 days post burn.     

Prevention and management of contractures in patients with burns of the neck

Two hundred patients with neck burns were analyzed to determine the incidence of contractures. It was found that only 8 per cent of patients with second degree burns had contractures, all of which were mild. Both the overall incidence of cervical contractures in patients with third degree neck burns and their severity can be decreased by the use of a custom-formed isoprene splint. Splinting should begin as soon as possible after the burn and continue until scar maturation is complete.     

Nationwide trends in the incidence and outcome of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumour in the imatinib era

Background

The incidence, treatment and outcome of patients with newly diagnosed gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) were studied in an era known for advances in diagnosis and treatment.

Methods

Nationwide population‐based data were retrieved from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. All patients with GIST diagnosed between 2001 and 2012 were included. Primary treatment, defined as any treatment within the first 6–9 months after diagnosis, was studied. Age‐standardized incidence was calculated according to the European standard population. Changes in incidence were evaluated by calculating the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC). Relative survival was used for survival calculations with follow‐up available to January 2017.

Results

A total of 1749 patients (54·0 per cent male and median age 66 years) were diagnosed with a GIST. The incidence of non‐metastatic GIST increased from 3·1 per million person‐years in 2001 to 7·0 per million person‐years in 2012; the EAPC was 7·1 (95 per cent c.i. 4·1 to 10·2) per cent (P < 0·001). The incidence of primary metastatic GIST was 1·3 per million person‐years, in both 2001 and 2012. The 5‐year relative survival rate increased from 71·0 per cent in 2001–2004 to 81·4 per cent in 2009–2012. Women had a better outcome than men. Overall, patients with primary metastatic GIST had a 5‐year relative survival rate of 48·2 (95 per cent c.i. 42·0 to 54·2) per cent compared with 88·8 (86·0 to 91·4) per cent in those with non‐metastatic GIST.

Conclusion

This population‐based nationwide study found an incidence of GIST in the Netherlands of approximately 8 per million person‐years. One in five patients presented with metastatic disease, but relative survival improved significantly over time for all patients with GIST in the imatinib era.     

Anaphylatoxin formation in plasma and burn bullae fluid in the thermally injured patient

Plasma anaphylatoxins (C3a and C5a) were measured in 19 thermally injured patients with a mean total burned surface area of 39 per cent (range 10-90 per cent) of partial and full skin thickness loss. Extensive burns were associated with increased anaphylatoxin activity. Patients with greater than 50 per cent burned surface area had higher plasma C3a and C5a concentrations than patients with 10-25 per cent burns (P less than 0.001) 1 week after injury. Six out of seven patients with greater than 50 per cent burned surface area developed adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and four out of seven bacteraemia. Twelve patients had 10-25 per cent burns and none of them developed ARDS or bacteraemia. The mean C3a concentration per millilitre of fluid from the burn bullae from nine different individuals was 2570 +/- 260 ng/ml. The C5a content in fluid from the bullae did not differ from the corresponding plasma range. Increased anaphylatoxin activity might explain extensive extravasation of fluid in burned patients. This increase might also be one reason for leukocyte accumulation in burned areas.     

Minimal‐access colorectal surgery is associated with fewer adhesion‐related admissions than open surgery

Background:

This study aimed to describe national intermediate‐term admission rates for incisional hernia or clinically apparent adhesions following colorectal surgery, and to compare rates following laparoscopic and open approaches.

Methods:

Patients undergoing primary colorectal resection between 2002 and 2008 were included from the Hospital Episode Statistics database. Subsequent inpatient admissions were extracted for up to 3 years after the initial operation or to the end of the study period. Outcomes examined were admissions with a diagnosis of, or operative interventions for, incisional hernia or adhesions.

Results:

A total of 187 148 patients were included between 2002 and 2008, with median follow‐up of 31·8 (interquartile range 13·1–35·3) months. Some 8885 (4·7 per cent) of these patients were admitted with a diagnosis of, or underwent a repair of, an incisional hernia. In multiple regression analysis, use of laparoscopy was not a predictor of operative intervention for incisional hernia (odds ratio 1·09, 95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 0·99 to 1·21; P = 0·083). Some 15 125 (8·1 per cent) of the patients were admitted with a diagnosis of adhesions or had a procedure for division of adhesions. Overall, 3·5 per cent (6637 of 187 148) of patients underwent adhesiolysis. Patients selected for a laparoscopic procedure had lower rates of admission for adhesions (6·3 per cent (692 of 11 013) for laparoscopic versus 8·2 per cent (14 433 of 176 135) for open surgery; P < 0·001) and reintervention for adhesions (2·8 per cent (305 of 11 013) versus 3·6 per cent (6325 of 176 135) respectively; P < 0·001) than those undergoing an open procedure. In multiple regression analysis, patients selected for a laparoscopic procedure had lower subsequent intervention rates for adhesions (odds ratio 0·80, 95 per cent c.i. 0·71 to 0·90; P < 0·001).

Discussion:

Patients undergoing colorectal resection who are selected for the laparoscopic approach have a lower risk of developing clinically significant adhesions. Copyright © 2012 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of prophylactic gastroenterostomy for unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer

Background:

The value of prophylactic gastroenterostomy (usually combined with a biliary bypass) in patients with unresectable cancer of the pancreatic head is controversial.

Methods:

A systematic review of retrospective and prospective studies, and a meta‐analysis of prospective studies, on the use of prophylactic gastroenterostomy for unresectable pancreatic cancer were performed.

Results:

Analysis of retrospective studies did not reveal any advantage or disadvantage of prophylactic gastroenterostomy. Three prospective studies comparing prophylactic gastroenterostomy plus biliodigestive anastomosis with no bypass or a biliodigestive anastomosis alone were identified (altogether 218 patients). For patients who had prophylactic gastroenterostomy, the chance of gastric outlet obstruction during follow‐up was significantly lower (odds ratio (OR) 0·06 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 0·02 to 0·21); P < 0·001). The rates of postoperative delayed gastric emptying were similar in both groups (OR 1·93 (95 per cent c.i. 0·57 to 6·53); P = 0·290), as were morbidity and mortality. The estimated duration of hospital stay after prophylactic gastroenterostomy was 3 days longer than for patients without bypass (weighted mean difference 3·1 (95 per cent c.i. 0·7 to 5·5); P = 0·010).

Conclusion:

Prophylactic gastroenterostomy should be performed during surgical exploration of patients with unresectable pancreatic head tumours because it reduces the incidence of long‐term gastroduodenal obstruction without impairing short‐term outcome. Copyright © 2009 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preliminary report on the use of a new hydrocolloid dressing in the treatment of burns

Twenty-four patients who were referred to our outpatient clinic for treatment of burns were included in a study to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a new hydrocolloid dressing (HCD). The depth of their burns ranged from superficial partial thickness to full thickness burns and the average size was 1.63 per cent of the total body surface. Seven patients had similar burns on other areas of their body which served as control areas. In six patients healing occurred slightly faster in the HCD treated wounds as compared to silver sulfadiazine (1 per cent), and at least as fast as compared with human allografts in these patients. Two patients were removed from the study; in the remaining non-control group (15 patients) healing progressed rapidly and the patients reported the treatment to be very comfortable. Follow-up visits after 1, 3 and 6 months showed excellent healing and there were no signs of hypertrophic scarring.     

Faecal occult blood test‐based screening programme with high compliance for colonoscopy has a strong clinical impact on colorectal cancer

Background:

The results of a pilot colorectal cancer screening programme by biennial immunochemical faecal occult blood test (FOBT) are reported.

Methods:

All residents aged between 50 and 69 years in the Italian province of Lecco were invited to have a FOBT. Those with a positive result were offered colonoscopy. FOBT uptake and compliance with colonoscopy were assessed. Detection rate and positive predictive value (PPV) for cancer and adenoma were calculated. Tumour stages were compared between screen‐detected cancers and other colorectal cancers diagnosed within the target age group.

Results:

Some 38 693 (49·6 per cent) of 78 083 individuals had a FOBT and 2392 (6·2 per cent) had a positive result. Colorectal cancer was diagnosed in 4·6 per cent and advanced adenoma in 32·7 per cent. PPVs were 4·0 per cent for cancer, 28·1 per cent for advanced adenoma and 36·6 per cent for any adenoma. There was a significant difference in incidence of stage III/IV disease between screened and non‐screened cohorts. Compliance for colonoscopy was 92·0 per cent. Major determinants of compliance were age less than 59 years, female sex, high education level and non‐manual work.

Conclusion:

These results justify extension of colorectal cancer screening to other regions of Italy. Copyright © 2009 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An analysis of burn mortality: a report from a Spanish regional burn centre

This paper reports an analysis of the mortality rates and related factors in our Burn Centre, based on 710 patients treated between 1985 and 1988. The average age of the patients was 23.8 years and the average burn size was 14 per cent of the body surface area. Burning injury affected mainly men (66 per cent), and their mortality rate was higher than that of women. The overall mortality rate was 6.6 per cent, the average age of the fatally injured patients being 54 years. We confirm that mortality in burned patients is closely related to: age (51 per cent of the patients were over 60 years of age); burn size (68 per cent of the patients had burns covering more than 30 per cent TBS); burn depth (57.4 per cent had full skin thickness burns); inhalation injury (present in 66 per cent of the fatally injured); and associated risk factors. The main cause of the burning injury was flames, chiefly from domestic accidents. The average survival time for the fatally injured patients was 10 days. Finally, our expected mortality followed a linear regression model, the LA50 for patients with only full skin thickness burns was 50 per cent.     

Analysis of survival and disease control in stage I melanoma of the head and neck

From 1958 through 1969, 357 patients were treated for melanoma of the head and neck. Of these, 166 had invasive, clinical stage I disease. All patients had wide local excision of the primary. Elective regional node dissection was performed in sixty-nine patients and in the remaining ninety-seven observation only was elected. Retrospective analysis of these 166 patients considered (1) survival and disease control, (2) sites and timing of failures, and (3) the effect of sex, site, type of biopsy, skin grafting, and regional node dissection on disease control and survival. More than 80 per cent of the local recurrences developed within the first twenty-four months. Similarly, in the patients not undergoing initial neck dissection, 80 per cent of those who subsequently had clinically positive regional nodes did so within twenty-four months. In the sixty-nine patients undergoing elective regional node dissection, the survival rate was 33.5 per cent at five and ten years in those with histologically positive nodes. Those patients with elective neck dissections having histologically negative nodes had a survival rate of 75.8 and 67.1 per cent at five and ten years, respectively.     

Variations in locoregional therapy in postmenopausal patients with early breast cancer treated in different countries

Background:

The Tamoxifen and Exemestane Adjuvant Multinational (TEAM) trial is an international randomized trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of exemestane, alone or following tamoxifen. The large number of patients already recruited offered the opportunity to explore locoregional treatment practices between countries.

Methods:

Patients were enrolled in Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA. The core protocol had minor differences in eligibility criteria between countries, reflecting variations in national guidelines and practice regarding adjuvant endocrine therapy.

Results:

Between 2001 and 2006, 9779 patients of mean(s.d.) age 64(9) years were randomized. Some 58·4 per cent had T1 tumours (range between countries 36·8–75·9 per cent; P < 0·001) and 47·3 per cent were axillary node positive (range 25·9–84·6 per cent; P < 0·001). Independent factors for type of breast surgery were country, age, tumour status and calendar year of surgery. After breast‐conserving surgery, radiotherapy was given to 93·2 per cent of patients, 86·0 per cent in the USA and 100 per cent in France. Axillary lymph node dissection was performed in 82·0 (range 74·6–99·1) per cent.

Conclusion:

Despite international consensus guidelines, wide global variations were observed in treatment practices of early breast cancer. There should be further efforts to optimize locoregional treatment for breast cancer worldwide. Copyright © 2010 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Topical chemoprophylaxis: Trials in silver phosphate chlorhexidine,silver sulphadiazine and povidone iodine preparations

A controlled trial showed that 1 per cent silver sulphadiazine (SSu) cream applied daily (or at intervals of 2 or 3 days) to burns had greater prophylactic value against Pseudomonas aeruginosa than a cream containing 0.4 per cent silver phosphate with 0.2 per cent chlorhexidine gluconate (SPCI). In another controlled trial, SSu cream had greater prophylactic value against Staphylococcus aureus, P. aeruginosa, proteus species and miscellaneous coliform bacilli than a 10 per cent povidone iodine (PVP-I) cream. It was inferred, from the results of an earlier trial, that silver nitrate chlorhexidine (SNCI) cream would be more effective than SPCI cream as a prophylactic agent against P. aeruginosa, apparently because of the greater solubility of silver nitrate; for this reason, SNCI cream was judged to be an appropriate substitute for SSu cream when sulphonamide-resistant Gram-negative bacilli were predominant in the ward.A trial of 10 per cent povidone iodine and 0–5 per cent silver nitrate solutions applied 6 hourly to exposed bums of the face, compared with no topical application, showed that both solutions reduced bacterial colonization of the burns, but there was no significant reduction in colonization by individual pathogens.     

Burns due to cooking oils--an increasing hazard

From July 1967 to June 1981, the proportion of all burns patients admitted to the Royal Brisbane Hospital Burns Unit, who were burnt by hot cooking oil or fat, rose 5.1 per cent during the first five years of the study, to 11.3 per cent during the last four years, probably due mainly to the rising popularity of cooking food in hot oil, but also probably due partly to the changing patterns of how cooking oil is used. Sixty-two of the 112 patients sustaining hot cooking oil or fat burns over the 14-year period, were males (55 per cent), and 50 were females (45 per cent). Patients of all ages were involved, but there was a notable increase in the proportion of 30-39 year-olds and a notable decrease in the proportion of those aged 60 years and older. The vast majority of these burns occurred in the domestic situation, and this majority increased over the 14 years, may be explained by changes in the of industrial cooking. The notable increase in the ratio of deep partial/full thickness burns in the series, over the fourteen years, may be explained by changes in the relative amounts of cooking done with different types of fats and oils, which have differing physico-chemical properties, although the proportion of patients receiving skin grafts did not alter much with time, reflecting the increasing tendency to graft burns. Ninety-six per cent of the patients in the series sustained burns of less than 20 per cent of their body surface area, and the proportion suffering burns of 1 per cent or less in area has risen markedly. No deaths directly resulted, and predisposing factors to burn injury were remarkably absent. The majority of patients sustained burns to their hands, reflecting the situation in which most of these burns occur, that is, spilling a carried vessel of ignited cooking oil. Prevention by greater consumer education is recommended.