Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Inhalation injury is suspected in patients with facial and neck burn-injuries and in patients who suffered burns in an enclosed space. Inhalation injury is associated with a disappointingly high morbidity and mortality in spite of advances in diagnostics and therapy.Prophylactic antibiotic therapy in patients with diagnosed inhalation injury is still a controversial subject.The epidemiologic characteristics of the burn patients with diagnosed inhalation injury in our clinic receiving prophylactic antibiotic therapy and mortality of these patients will be referred in this study. ⋯ The development of pneumonia is not influenced in a statistical significant way by the use of prophylactic antibiotics. We do recommend the administration of prophylactic antibiotic therapy to patients with diagnosed inhalation trauma, as the mortality of these patients was lower in comparison to other studies.
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Lagophthalmos is a critical problem in patients with severe periocular burn causing corneal exposure which may result in corneal ulcers and even loss of vision. Many surgical techniques were described to overcome this problem with different rates of success. This article presents a simple but useful technique involving the V-Y advancement of the eyelid or eyelids in vertical direction for the prevention of cicatricial ectropion and eyelid contraction.
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Patients vary in their feelings about looking at their injuries and burn care staff play an important role in helping patients. This study explored confidence among burn care staff in helping patients to look at their injuries and how often help was typically offered. Burn care professionals (n=33) completed a questionnaire exploring confidence and practice in this area. ⋯ Only 21% (n=7) regularly (most or all of the time) informed patients where mirrors were situated within the ward area. Eighteen percent (n=6) of staff reported never or only occasionally asking patients if they had seen their injuries, 27% (n=9) of staff never or only occasionally asked patients if they would like to see their injuries and 30% (n=10) of staff never or only occasionally asked patients if they wanted any help looking at their injuries. Training in this area may be useful to enhance staff confidence so patients can be offered appropriate support.
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Observational Study
Regional citrate anticoagulation for continuous renal replacement therapy in severe burns-A retrospective analysis of a protocol-guided approach.
For critically ill patients, the use of regional citrate anticoagulation as part of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) has become increasingly common in recent years. However, there are scarce data on the use of this technique in patients with burns. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness, feasibility and complications of regional citrate anticoagulation for CRRT in burn patients, as well as the effects on coagulation and the electrolyte and acid-base balance. ⋯ In terms of bleeding risk and electrolyte and acid-base balance, regional citrate anticoagulation may be considered to be an effective, safe and user-friendly procedure for patients with severe burns and AKI.
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Children constitute a significant proportion of burn victims in most studies from the developing countries. While there has been a progressive improvement in the outcome from childhood burn in many developed nations, the morbidity and mortality remains high in many low and middle income countries. The aim of our study is to evaluate the demographic characteristics and prognostic indicators of childhood burn in a major referral teaching hospital in a developing country. ⋯ The TBSA was also found to be a determinant of outcome. Majority of childhood burns are from preventable causes with attendant dismal mortality figures. Effective burn prevention strategies and improved quality of care remain pivotal in reducing childhood burn morbidity and mortality in the developing countries.