Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Electrical injuries are unique with respect to low mortality rates, but very high rates of short- and long-term morbidity, and overall outcome. Controversy still exists regarding the advantages of one-stage debridement versus early serial debridement of necrotic tissue. The purpose of this study was a retrospective evaluation of treatment, morbidity and outcome in a group of patients with electrical injuries. ⋯ The average length of stay was 22 days, and the cost of hospitalization ranged from $900 to $120 000 (mean !4,901). Significant long-term neurological deficits persisted in 73 per cent of patients at long-term follow-up (mean 4.5 years). Only 5.3 per cent of patients after high-voltage electrical injury were able to return to their premorbid job.
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This review assess the influence of burn variables on patients' survival using epidemiological analysis of 144 patients admitted over a 2-year period, the overall mortality rate was 9.7 per cent. The risk of mortality in patients with 30-50 and 50-80 per cent total body surface area (TBSA) burns was 16 and 86 times that in patients with less than 30 per cent TBSA burns respectively. ⋯ When burn surface area (BSA) exceeded 30 per cent TBSA, the effect of the other two variables on survival were reinforced. When the patients' age was under 6 years and BSA was above 85 per cent TBSA, the risk of mortality was increased five times but insignificantly raised its rate.
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This study attempts to measure and quantify changes in workload and outcome in clinically ill burn patients admitted to the intensive care unit at this institution over the 11-year period 1982-92. The case notes were studied for all patients admitted to the intensive care unit, 163 cases in total, but information was incomplete in 14. Mortality over the period is compared, using Chi squared analysis with Yates correction, with mortality probability from Bull's chart relating age and body surface area of burn (1971). ⋯ The duration of stay for admitted patients also shows an increase, the combination of these factors suggesting an increasing workload. There has been no change in outcome over the period. The figures provide a baseline for comparison of outcome in critically ill burn patients and are an important means by which to measure future change.