Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Prestorage leukocyte filtration may reduce leukocyte-derived bioactive substance accumulation in patients operated for burn trauma.
Adverse effects of perioperative blood transfusion appear to be storage-time-dependent and may be related to extracellular accumulation of bioactive substances in blood products. In this study the clinical effects of leukofiltered and non-filtered blood products in patients undergoing surgery for burn trauma are investigated. 24 consecutive patients were randomly selected to receive transfusion with non-filtered blood components (group A, n = 12) or similar products, which were prestorage leukofiltered (group B, n = 12). The burn injury was scored using the Bull and Fischer index of age and burn surface area. ⋯ IL-6 analyses showed, that the trauma had more severe impact on group B patients than on group A patients. Nevertheless, 4 patients died in group A and 2 in group B; all with a Bull and Fischer index between 1.0 and 2.0. Prestorage leukocyte filtration may reduce transfusion related accumulation of various bioactive substances and the requirement for blood in burn trauma patients.
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Comparative Study
Changes in circulating levels of interleukin 6 in burned patients.
Interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels in serial serum samples of 10 burned patients were analyzed. The total body surface areas (TBSA) of the burn injury varied from 30 to 85%. Among these 10 patients, five recovered and the other five, who were septic, expired. ⋯ An increase in serum levels of all three cytokines was detected postburn. Serum levels of three cytokines were significantly higher in the septic patients, who all died. It was considered that all three cytokines analyzed may play a significant role in the pathophysiology of sepsis in burned patients.
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Comparative Study
Paediatric burns in Iceland. Hospital admissions 1982-1995, a populations based study.
Epidemiological data of 290 children admitted to the Paediatric Department, University Hospital of Iceland, over a 14 year period, 1982-1995, are presented. The sex ratio boys/girls was 1.6. 72.8% were children four years and younger. Hot fluids was the most common cause of burn injuries, mostly caused by geothermal hot water. ⋯ A decreasing number of children suffering from electricity and corrosive burn injuries reflects heightened awareness and improved safety in the home. We found a significant increase in the incidence of hot fluid burn injuries in Icelandic children compared to previous studies. This calls for preventive measures with regard to geothermal and other hot water burns in Icelandic children.
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Comparative Study
Correlation between fungi isolated from burn wounds and burn care units.
A comparison was made prospectively between fungal isolates from patients and burn care units. Aspergillus niger was the most frequent isolate in both patients and burn care units whereas Ulocladium was the commonest isolate in the control group. ⋯ These findings indicate a potential risk of fungal infection which can be acquired from the immediate surroundings of patients in burn care units. Periodical burn ward decontamination is therefore recommended.