Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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This study investigates the hand surface area (HSA) and palm surface area (PSA) percentages of body surface area (BSA). The HSA and PSA of 135 men and 135 women were measured by scanner and incorporated into an existing BSA database to derive %HSA/BSA and %PSA/BSA using five stature heights and three body weights in accordance with population distribution. Allowing for various degrees of specificity, the mean %HSA/BSA and mean %PSA/BSA were found to be 2.29% (0.24%) and 0.89% (0.09%), respectively. Gender and body weight group were significant factors.
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Tissue expansion is a widespread and accepted concept in reconstructive surgery, but is also afflicted with a variety of complications. In burn patients, this technique allows large areas of burn scar to be replaced by tissue of similar texture and colour to the defect. We retrospectively reviewed our results with tissue expanders in 57 burn patients over a period of 8 years including 102 expanders. ⋯ Factors such as age, gender, number of expanders per patient and shape of expander showed no statistical correlation in relation to the failure rate (p-values >0.05). Furthermore, we present a short review of the recent literature of complications after tissue expansion. The presented study may help to draw attention on different aspects in tissue expansion and critically focus on each step of the tissue expansion procedure from implantation over inflation to explantation.
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Multicenter Study
PTSD in persons with burns: an explorative study examining relationships with attributed responsibility, negative and positive emotional states.
A sample of 90 persons who had been hospitalized for severe burns were interviewed 1-4 years after the incident. Current DSM-IV post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Perceived attributed responsibility and related positive and negative emotional states were examined using a semi-structured interview. ⋯ However, the model including emotional state showed to have the best fit. Although further research is needed, these results may indicate that professionals working in burn care should consider the emotional state in relation to perceived attribution of responsibility when considering PTSD. Promoting forgiveness may be a beneficial strategy in dealing with post-traumatic stress reactions.
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To examine the relationship between two measures that can be used to examine quality life among pediatric burn survivors. ⋯ Approximately 100,000 children are treated for burns annually, with a high percentage surviving, creating a challenge for health care professionals who need to prepare burn survivors with their psychosocial and physical well-being as adults. This study found that the SF-36 and QLQ are measuring somewhat different aspects of psychosocial and physical adjustment. It is recommended that both tools could be useful to the burn practitioner in assessing quality of life.
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Most intentional burns are scalds, and distinguishing these from unintentional causes is challenging. ⋯ We propose an evidence based triage tool to aid in distinguishing intentional from unintentional scalds, requiring prospective validation.