Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Children are the most risk prone in cases of burns. The previous epidemiologic study of paediatric burns in Lagos-Nigeria was carried four decades ago. A new study becomes necessary in view of the increasing incidences of petroleum related fire disasters in Nigeria. ⋯ This study identifies the main causes of paediatric burns and the major factors responsible for morbidity and mortality at the present time in a low income country. The level of awareness about burns prevention among the populace and health care facilities should be improved.
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Perioral contractures after burn (microstomia) is a common consequence of facial burns. A small oral opening creates a problem for oral hygiene, food intake and intubation. Therefore, contracture treatment is beneficial once severe limitation of function is realised. ⋯ The commissural angle accepted a normal shape; the mucosal flap was invisible when the mouth was closed; the mouth had a normal appearance when the mouth orifice was open. After an adequate correction, no recurrence of contractures took place. Thus, scar dissection and wound coverage with the trapeze-flap plasty becomes a preferred reconstructive technique for microstomia release after burn.
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Clinical examination alone is not always sufficient to determine which burn wounds will heal spontaneously and which will require surgical intervention for optimal outcome. We present a review of optical modalities currently in clinical use and under development to assist burn surgeons in assessing burn wound severity, including conventional histology/light microscopy, laser Doppler imaging, indocyanine green videoangiography, near-infrared spectroscopy and spectral imaging, in vivo capillary microscopy, orthogonal polarization spectral imaging, reflectance-mode confocal microscopy, laser speckle imaging, spatial frequency domain imaging, photoacoustic microscopy, and polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography.
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The burden of burns is largely underreported due to the lack of a surveillance system in Pakistan. The aim of our study was to determine the incidence of burns and factors associated with their hospitalisation in the city of Rawalpindi, Pakistan. ⋯ Rawalpindi city has a significant burden of burns. These results showed that investigating further factors leading to burns at home and work could be useful for future safety education campaigns. Moreover, continuous surveillance is warranted to decrease burns in Pakistan.
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This study investigated the use of telemedicine in decision-making and follow-up of burn patients. ⋯ Telemedicine is appropriate and cost-effective for treatment and follow-up of patients in burn units with personnel with limited experience.