Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
-
Throughout history there have been many different and sometimes bizarre treatments prescribed for burns. Unfortunately many of these treatments still persist today, although they often do not have sufficient evidence to support their use. This paper reviews common first aid and pre-hospital treatments for burns (water--cold or warm, ice, oils, powders and natural plant therapies), possible mechanisms whereby they might work and the literature which supports their use. From the published work to date, the current recommendations for the first aid treatment of burn injuries should be to use cold running tap water (between 2 and 15 degrees C) on the burn, not ice or alternative plant therapies.
-
Multicenter Study
Epidemiology of burn injuries presenting to North Carolina emergency departments in 2006-2007.
Approximately 600,000 burns present to Emergency Departments each year in the United States, yet there is little systematic or evidence-based training of Emergency Physicians in acute burn management. We retrospectively accessed the North Carolina Disease Event Tracking and Epidemiologic Collection Tool (NC DETECT) database to identify all thermal burns and electrical injuries with associated thermal burns presenting to 92% of North Carolina Emergency Departments over a 1-year period. ⋯ This is the first state-wide study of burn injury and identifies Emergency Physicians as the major providers of acute burn care. Ninety-two percent of 10,501 burn visits, including the majority of severe injuries, were managed exclusively by Emergency Physicians. This supports a need for improved, evidence-based training of Emergency Physicians in the acute management of burns of all types.
-
Factors that influenced the choice of dose of oral transmucosal fentanyl at the time of burns dressing change were investigated in a prospective study. After Ethics committee approval, data was analysed from 29 consecutive patients who had been recruited and consented for a study of pain associated with burns dressings. Patients had completed an 11-point verbal pain intensity score (VRS) prior to and after the dressing change. ⋯ The time since the burn was longer in the low dose group at 7 [1-22] days compared with 5 [0-50] days in the higher dose group. In addition 73% of the low dose group was prescribed opioids regularly prior to the dressing compared with 57% of the high dose group. The choice of a lower transmucosal fentanyl dose was based on prior use of opioids and the age of the burn rather than on the patient's pain intensity.
-
Heterotopic ossification (HO) is an uncommon, but high profile complication of burns. In this paper, a retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate our treatment and results of HO. Relevant literature was also reviewed to search for new advances in prevention and management for patients with HO after burns. ⋯ Although HO after burn is uncommon, physicians should keep the complication in mind. When burn patients complain decreased ROM or "locking sign" in their joints, X-ray examination is indicated to rule out HO. Surgery is the treatment of choice when the diagnosis of HO is confirmed.
-
Review Case Reports
CS gas--completely safe? A burn case report and literature review.