Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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To describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of the patients in the Burn Unit of the Hospital Universitario San Vicente de Paúl (HUSVP) de Medellín, Colombia, from 1994-2004. ⋯ There is a continuing improvement in hospital stay, survives burn sizes, with figures comparable to others without access to a tissue bank or skin cultivation.
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Multicenter Study
Use of a new hemicellulose dressing (Veloderm) for the treatment of split-thickness skin graft donor sites A within-patient controlled study.
A multi-centre, open, within-patient controlled study was performed on 23 adult burnt patients to investigate the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of Veloderm in comparison with Algisite M and Jaloskin in split-thickness skin graft donor site care. The areas dressed with Veloderm completely healed within 10-13 days in a significant higher proportion than the other two dressings (47.6% for Veloderm versus 26.3% for Algisite M and 10% for Jaloskin, P<0.03), showing during the whole study less incidence of exudates and of peri-lesional erythema. The aesthetic outcome of the treated lesions after healing was significantly better for Veloderm (P=0.0016). ⋯ Both pain during application or at removal of dressings and local infections were negligible with all treatments. No scars were formed in any skin donor site. In conclusion Veloderm is a safe and effective dressing for the re-epithelialization of the skin graft donor sites: it showed higher activity than the other two compared dressings.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of conventional mandatory ventilation and high frequency oscillatory ventilation for treatment of acute lung injury induced by steam inhalation injury.
This study compared patho-physical indexes, respiratory mechanics, circulatory parameters and lung injury scores of acute lung injury (ALI) induced by steam inhalation injury in a New Zealand rabbit model with different ventilatory strategies: a control group which consisted of lower tidal volume (VT 6 ml/kg) and high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) (9 cmH(2)O); treatment group which was high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV). Eighteen rabbits were anaesthetized, sedated, neuromuscular-blocked and ventilated with above two modes at our animal laboratory of burn center. ⋯ As a result, HFOV attenuated the decrease in oxygenation and pulmonary compliance, alleviated lung tissue damage and inflammatory response. Therefore, HFOV may be a preferable option for treatment of acute lung injury induced by steam inhalation injury.
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In China, burns are becoming a major cause of morbidity and mortality with large societal and economic implications. To date, there is little epidemiological data on burns in China to direct prevention efforts. This study describes the characteristics of burn patients admitted to a major burn center in Shanghai using a burn registry developed in Toronto, Canada. ⋯ Seniors had more flame burns (73%) and the majority (55%) occurred in domestic incidents. Seniors had deeper burns (13%, p=0.005), required more escharotomies (55%, p=0.002), required more operations (2, p=0.051) and had higher mortality (36%, p<0.001) than other age groups. These results provide compelling evidence for performing population-based studies to identify risk factors that are susceptible to modification in each age group.
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Burn wounds are characterised by central necrosis surrounded by an area of stasis with compromised perfusion. Secondary aggravation of the burn wound due to ischaemia in the zone of stasis can also result in necrosis. This study aims to improve circulation in the zone of stasis by reducing microthrombus formation and thereby to reduce secondary aggravation. ⋯ Anticoagulation with rNAPc2 improved perfusion of the burn wound. The resultant reduction in the area of the burn led to earlier healing and less scar contracture.