Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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This is a retrospective, epidemiological study of 19,157 acute burn patients admitted to the Hallym Burn Centre, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea, during the period 1986-2003. The study was conducted to identify characteristics of burn patients that could lead to development of preventive programs to reduce both the frequency and mortality of burn injury. The majority of patients admitted had relatively minor burns, which were treated conservatively. ⋯ The annual number of patients undergoing burn related surgery has continuously increased reflecting a more aggressive surgical management. Our ongoing efforts are to promote prevention program and look for changes in the incidence of burn injury based on these epidemiologic features. Further study for implications of changes in management protocols and policies on treatment outcomes would improve the provision of appropriate care for the patients.
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In major burns, local treatment of the split skin graft after a burn injury is important to prevent serious infectious complications. Topical burn wound therapy may improve the bacteriological condition of the wound, which in turn may improve the successful take of a skin graft. Delay of wound healing is an undesired side effect of these topical anti-microbial agents. ⋯ In view of this, the total healing time of the freshly grafted burn wound was studied. In this prospective study, comparable areas of the same patient were treated with povidone-iodine ointment or with simple vaseline gauze. There was no statistical difference in the total wound healing time between the treated and the control group.
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Infraclavicular subclavian venepuncture in the oedematous burned patient is often difficult because of increased depth of the vein. In addition, proper patient positioning is not easily achieved because of extensive burns, generalised oedema and bulky dressings. To overcome these difficulties, a modified technique of infraclavicular subclavian venepuncture has been developed. ⋯ The curve allows the tip to be kept close to the undersurface of the clavicle as the needle is advanced, thereby reducing the risk of injury to deep structures. The advantages of the modified technique are demonstrated in anatomical dissections. This technique is a viable alternative when conventional techniques fail.
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Facial burns represent between one-fourth and one-third of all burns. Absence of the eyebrows or distortions in their position alter the character of the face. Thus, eyebrow repair or reconstruction can be an important "finishing touch" in the overall reconstruction of a burned face. ⋯ The results suggest that superficial temporal artery island flaps were more suitable for males and composite graft for females who generally require thinner and less dense eyebrows. Our experience with minigrafts for burn alopecia has not been adequate. Here in this article, different methods of eyebrow reconstruction are presented with the greater emphasis on superficial temporal artery flap.