Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association
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Review Case Reports
Exposure to an iridium-192 source in an industrial safety worker.
Radiation burn injuries account for 0.2% of burn injury admissions. Treatment of radiation burns remains challenging because of unpredictable inflammatory changes and soft tissue necrosis. Conventional treatment consists of multistaged surgical procedures. ⋯ He had complete wound healing 1 month postdischarge. This case report provides background on radiation burn injuries and applicability of nonoperative management in treating radiation burn injuries. Furthermore, it encourages the development of individualized treatment plans, consideration of the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, referral to a burn center, and consulting radiation experts for guidance.
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Review
What do we know about one-to-one peer support for adults with a burn injury? A scoping review.
The purpose of this study was to conduct a broad examination of the central themes and concepts associated with one-to-one peer support for adult patients with a burn injury. The aim of the synthesis was to examine 1) what is reported in the literature regarding the impact of peer support for patients or peers and 2) what methods or elements were considered important with regard to the program design and structure. The synthesis undertaken for this study followed scoping review methodology. ⋯ One-to-one peer support for adults with burns trauma has the potential to be a unique support option with earnest attributes. The preliminary data representing the effects of peer support for adults with a burn injury as presented in this literature review shows an emerging pattern of benefit for givers and receivers of peer support. Further work is needed in this field and recommendations are made for future studies.
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Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a fraction of blood plasma with a platelet concentration above baseline. After activation of the platelets, growth factors are released, which are involved in wound-healing processes. Application of a multitude of growth factors seems to boost the healing process. ⋯ However, burn patients have an altered physiological state and it is unknown how this may affect platelet function and quality. Furthermore, the effect of PRP on scarring has not been evaluated properly. Future research is needed to elucidate the role of PRP in the treatment of burns.
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Alkali burns are known to possess high pathological potential because of their inherent ability to lyse cell membranes and penetrate intraocular structures with devastating results. The authors aimed to evaluate the most common cause of this presentation, the current treatment approaches to injury, and eventual outcome as related to severity. The authors performed a retrospective review of all patients who sustained chemical-related ocular injuries seen at the Concord Hospital Burns Unit, Australia between January 2005 and March 2012. ⋯ Surgical correction was needed in the one patient with cicatrical ectropion. This case series shows that appropriate acute management minimizes the potentially devastating sequelae of ocular alkali burns. Emphasis should be placed on prevention of domestic and workplace injuries when using alkaline products.