Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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The DermaLab Combo® measures pigmentation and vascularity of a burn scar more reliably than the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS). This study aims to examine how the DermaLab Combo® continuous measurements of pigmentation and vascularity of burns scars relate to the mVSS, a standard clinical scar assessment method; and secondly, to obtain evidence to support the concurrent validity of DermaLab Combo® measurements for pigmentation and vascularity. ⋯ Quantifying percentage changes in melanin and erythema relative to matched normal skin improved understanding of the DermaLab Combo® pigmentation and vascularity measurements. The DermaLab Combo® pigmentation MI% values were able to be classified into pigmentation categories of the mVSS, and pigmentation classification concordance was further improved with consideration of the scar's DermaLab Combo® vascularity EI% values. The DermaLab Combo® is an objective tool; however, while the measurement provides continuous numerical data that may be useful for identifying change over time in clinical scar monitoring of pigmentation and vascularity, further work will be useful to understand the DermaLab Combo® measurements to optimise the interpretation of these data.
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In children under 1 year of age, the proportion of unintentional burns increases with infant age and mobility. Infants are not able to avoid burns and are dependent on parental or adult help. Treatment of burns in young children is expensive in terms of the life-long costs. ⋯ For a subsample of parents who completed the USFA Checklist (n=22), the mean percentage of advocated practices followed was 71±11% (range: 40-89%). Using DVDs was an effective educational modality for increasing HFS knowledge. This addressed an important problem of decreasing burns in infants through increasing parent knowledge and HFS practices using a short, inexpensive DVD.
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Older adults are more likely to experience problems that contribute to an increase in burn-related morbidity and mortality. The purpose of the current study was to determine if the educational home fire safety (HFS) intervention was an effective method of improving HFS knowledge over time in two groups of urban older adults, home bound and community-based. HFS knowledge of 110 urban older adults was assessed at baseline, immediately after watching a HFS DVD (recall), and at 2-week follow-up (retention). ⋯ In addition, HFS knowledge scores were significantly impacted by the number of chronic illnesses, number of independent activities of daily living, and income. The findings from this study suggest the educational HFS intervention was effective in increasing urban older adults' HFS knowledge over time. Lowering the burns morbidity and mortality in the older adult population is an important public health concern that needs to be addressed through tailored prevention and education strategies.
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Management of full-thickness facial burns remains one of the greatest challenges. Controversy exists among surgeons regarding the use of early excision for facial burns. Unfortunately, delayed excision of deeper burns often results in more scarring and subsequent reconstruction becomes more difficult. A collagen-elastin matrix is used to improve the quality of the reconstructed skin, to reduce scarring and to prevent wound contraction. It serves as a foundation for split thickness skin graft and enhances short and long-term results. ⋯ In regard to early results, graft quality was close to normal skin in terms of vascularity, elasticity, pliability, texture and color. Esthetic and functional results have been encouraging. This study shows us that the collagen-elastin matrix as a dermal substitute is a useful adjunct, which may result in quick healing with satisfying esthetic and functional results. It also may enhance short and long-term results in after burn facial wound closure in children.