Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Burns represent the second most common cause of non-intentional death in children under the age of five. Burns are amongst the most traumatic injuries and may impose significant psychological, educational, social and future occupational limitations to the young child. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the socio-economic and clinical factors which predict quality of life in children with burn in a burns unit in South Africa. ⋯ Poor socio-economic status was clearly evident in demographic data of the subjects. The findings from this study are particularly important in identifying areas for further research that would be beneficial to developing countries. Furthermore, the results are important in the move towards more holistic care for paediatric burn survivors.
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Multicenter Study
Use of an autologous bioengineered composite skin in extensive burns: Clinical and functional outcomes. A multicentric study.
We report clinical and functional outcomes obtained after application of an autologous bioengineered composite skin (ABCS) produced in a single Spanish tissue-engineering unit. ⋯ Final take obtained with ABCS could be improved with the use of non-cytotoxic topical antibiotics following engraftment. The use of plasma to prepare ABCS reduces production costs: cost-effectiveness ratio is not a limitation for its use. In terms of patient satisfaction, cosmetic/functional outcomes (general appearance, texture, flexibility, sensitivity and colour) of ABCS and split-thickness autografts are not different statistically.
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Limb amputation is considered one of the most devastating consequences of electrical injury. Any factors that correlate with the degree of muscle damage can be used to predict the necessity of limb amputation. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that can be used to predict limb amputation in high-voltage electrically injured patients. ⋯ Our results suggest that CK-MB level is an independent factor for prediction of limb amputation. We suggest that the addition of CK-MB evaluation to clinical symptoms screening may be a valuable method to early detection of muscle damage.
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Review Meta Analysis
Use of procalcitonin for the detection of sepsis in the critically ill burn patient: a systematic review of the literature.
The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the evidence for use of routine procalcitonin testing to diagnose the presence of sepsis in the burn patient. The electronic databases MEDLINE, Cochrane, CINAHL, ProQuest, and SCOPUS were searched for relevant studies using the MeSH terms burn, infection, procalcitonin, and meta-analysis. The focus of the review was the adult burn population, but other relevant studies of critically ill patients were included as data specific to the patient with burns are limited. ⋯ Evaluation of the burn specific studies is limited by the use of guidelines to define sepsis and inconsistent results from the burn studies. Utility of the procalcitonin assay is limited due to the lack of availability of rapid, inexpensive tests. However, it appears procalcitonin assay is a safe and beneficial addition to the clinical diagnosis of sepsis in the burn intensive care unit.