Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association
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The aim of this study was to measure the pH on the wound surface of 30 burn patients and test the hypothesis that wound surface pH is correlated to healing time and burn depth. Inclusion criteria were any adult outpatient with burn injury. Patient age was 17 to 75 years (mean, 44), burn depth ranged from superficial to full thickness with a TBSA of 0.4 to 4%. ⋯ Wound pH was also correlated to depth at the second dressing change (superficial = pH 6.05, full thickness = pH 8.0). The correlation between pH and wound outcome could be used as an additional diagnostic tool to predict poor healing in wounds. Early identification of a nonhealing wound may allow a more aggressive treatment regimen, including skin grafting, to bring about rapid wound healing.
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The aim of this study was to report the incidence and management of ocular firecracker trauma and to assess the predictive value of an Ocular Trauma Score (OTS) in ocular firecracker trauma. The study includes consecutive case study and retrospective analysis of ocular firecracker trauma. Numerical values rendered to the OTS variables (visual acuity, rupture, endophthalmitis, perforating or penetrating injury, retinal detachment, and afferent pupillary defect) at presentation were summated and converted to OTS categories. ⋯ The OTS has 100% sensitivity and 65% specificity to predict vision of ≥20/40. The clinical manifestations of ocular firecracker trauma in Zhengzhou are more severe than in other countries, but similar to reports of other cities of comparable size to that in China. The OTS has good predictive value for ocular firecracker trauma with 100% sensitivity and specificity to predict a final vision of nonlight perception, light perception/hand motion, and 1/200-19/200.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Application of crystalline cellulose membrane (Veloderm) on split-thickness skin graft donor sites in burn or reconstructive plastic surgery patients.
The present study was performed in China to compare the efficacy and safety of an advanced wound dressing made of crystalline cellulose (Veloderm) to a conventional treatment of three Vaseline gauzes in the management of skin donor sites of burns or reconstructive plastic surgery. In this prospective, multicenter, open-labeled, randomized clinical trial performed in three Chinese burn centers in China, 96 patients who required autologous split skin graft were randomized into either the test (Veloderm) group or the control (Vaseline gauze) group. ⋯ The need for a dressing change was also significantly lower in the test group (12.5 vs. 31.25%; P = .036). Veloderm is a safe and effective dressing that may offer some advantages over the traditional application of Vaseline gauze in the management of donor sites in burn or reconstructive plastic surgery patients.
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Early mobilization and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis have been shown to reduce the incidence of DVT and pulmonary embolism among hospitalized patients, yet thromboembolic complications remain a great concern, especially to those who remain immobilized for an extended period of time. There are many risk factors associated with the development of thromboembolism, especially DVT. The main objective of this retrospective study is to estimate the occurrence of DVT in burn patients and to investigate some burn-related risk factors. ⋯ The study showed that the incidence of DVT in the burn center was comparable with the incidences reported in the literature. Being of male sex, a smoker, an alcoholic, high-age group, high %TBSA, use of central line, increased number of surgeries, and increased number of blood transfusions are identified as possible predisposing factors for DVTs. Further meaningful evaluation to determine the incidence of DVT in burn patients and its associated risk factors will require large multicenter, well-controlled, prospective designed study.