Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Improvement in burn survival has shifted the focus of burn care from beyond merely preserving life to improving the quality of life for burn survivors. Healthy psychosocial function is critical to the development of sustained elevations in quality of life after injury, with social and community integration serving a crucial role. ⋯ Using multivariable regression analysis, we found that facial burns and amputations are independent risk factors for experiencing social stigma, while male sex and increased community integration were protective. Taken together, these findings suggest a role for targeted counseling for patients who sustain facial burns and/or amputations, as well as the continued investment in burn-survivor outreach programs aimed at improving social support for survivors.
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Thermal injury is a leading cause of unintentional pediatric trauma morbidity and mortality. ⋯ Pediatric burn hospitalizations and burn-related mortality have decreased over time. The increases in transfers and admissions to hospitals with high pediatric burn volumes suggest increasing regionalization of care.
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Despite criteria to guide intubation from the American Burn Association (ABA), concerns remain regarding over-intubation of burns patients. The purpose of this study was to review appropriateness of intubation at a UK regional burns centre over a 5-year period. A 5-year retrospective review of adult patients admitted to the Manchester Burns Centre who underwent intubation at or prior to admission was performed. ⋯ Complications related to intubation and ventilation were noted in 37.5% of patients, with ventilation associated pneumonia (VAP) being the most common occurring in 27.5%. 95% of patients fulfilled recognised criteria for intubation. However, 30% were extubated within 48 h, suggesting potentially avoidable intubation. This study suggests current intubation criteria may over-estimate risk of airway compromise and supports results from non-UK studies that a proportion of patients may be suitable for close observation rather than early intubation.
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Emerging evidence reveals the importance of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the development and progression of keloid formation. However, the roles and molecular mechanism of lncRNA LINC01116 in the progression of keloid formation remain largely unknown. ⋯ Downregulation of LINC01116 inhibited the progression of keloid formation by regulating miR-203/SMAD5 axis, which might provide a novel target for keloid therapy.
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Allogeneic and xenogeneic skin are recognized as the best coverings for skin burn wounds, but currently face a supply shortage. To solve this problem, our research group developed a standardized manufactured hydrogel dressing based on a new type of highly bioactive recombinant human collagen. ⋯ During the observation period, the therapeutic effect of the RHCH developed by our group on partial-thickness burn wounds was not significantly different from that of gene-transferred xenogeneic skin. Thus, our designed RHCH shows potential for clinical use to treat burn wounds on the skin.