Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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The epidemiology of burns is well described in the United States, Europe and Asia. However, few studies address this topic in the Levant region. This study aims to describe characteristics of burn victims treated at the emergency department of a tertiary care center in Beirut, Lebanon and to report on factors that affect ED disposition. ⋯ Characteristics of burn patients treated in an urban ED in Lebanon mirror those of burn victims in other international studies. Future larger epidemiologic studies are needed to better quantify the impact of burns in Lebanon.
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Methylated spirit burns have been reported following domestic uses such as igniting fondues. It has also been used as an accelerant for self-immolation. We report the first documented case of severe methylated spirit burns sustained during traditional hair dressing. Increased awareness on the dangers of methylated spirit as well as making it less readily available for domestic use is warranted.
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The early diagnosis of infection or sepsis in burns are important for patient care. Globally, a large number of burn centres advocate quantitative cultures of wound biopsies for patient management, since there is assumed to be a direct link between the bioburden of a burn wound and the risk of microbial invasion. Given the conflicting study findings in this area, a systematic review was warranted. ⋯ The evidence base for the utility and reliability of quantitative microbiology for diagnosing or predicting clinical outcomes in burns patients is limited and often poorly reported. Consequently future research is warranted.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Hypnosis for reduction of background pain and pain anxiety in men with burns: A blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled study.
'Background pain' and 'pain anxiety' are among the numerous problems of patients with burns. Non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions have been used to reduce background pain and pain anxiety. This study compared the effectiveness of hypnosis and 'neutral hypnosis' (as a placebo in the control group) in decreasing the background burn pain and pain anxiety of adult male survivors with burns. ⋯ Hypnosis is effective in reducing background pain quality and pain anxiety of men with burns.
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Multicenter Study
Relationship between multidisciplinary critical care and burn patients survival: A propensity-matched national cohort analysis.
The aims of this study are: firstly, to investigate if admission to specialized burn critical care units leads to better clinical outcomes; secondly, to elucidate if the multidisciplinary critical care contributes to this superior outcome. ⋯ Admission to a specialized burn critical care service is independently associated with significant survival benefit. This is, at least in part, due to care being provided by a fully integrated multidisciplinary team.