Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
-
Hypertrophic scars and keloids are forms of pathologic scarring that can give rise to pain and pruritus. The link between nerve function and nerve density and the symptoms in pathologic scars (PS) remains unclear. ⋯ Wide heterogeneity between studies exists. Therefore, no firm conclusions can be formulated. However, evidence suggests involvement of the cutaneous nervous system by neurogenic inflammation in the pathophysiology of pathologic scars and their symptoms.
-
Whilst wound repair in severe burns has received substantial research attention, non-severe burns (<20 % total body surface area) remain relatively understudied, despite causing considerable physiological impact and constituting most of the hospital admissions for burns. Early prediction of healing outcomes would decrease financial and patient burden, and aid in preventing long-term complications from poor wound healing. Lipids have been implicated in inflammation and tissue repair and may play essential roles in burn wound healing. ⋯ Inflammatory markers GlycB and C-reactive protein indicated divergent systemic responses to the burn injury at admission. Triacylglycerols, diacylglycerols and low-density lipoprotein subfractions were associated with re-epithelisation (p-value <0.02, Cliff's delta >0.7), whilst high-density lipoprotein subfractions, phosphatidylinositols, phosphatidylcholines, and phosphatidylserines were associated with delayed wound closure at two weeks post-surgery (p-value <0.01, Cliff's delta <-0.7). Further model validation will potentially lead to personalised intervention strategies to reduce the risk of chronic complications post-burn injury.
-
Providing excellent care to patients with acute burns can result in lower mortality and disability in the long-term. There are no specific instruments to evaluate the quality of care provided at this stage of treatment. This study aims to create an instrument to evaluate the quality of hospital care provided to patients with acute burns in Brazil. ⋯ Our study identified key terms, and consensus was reached on 106 statements; a need to define clear outcome evaluation methods was observed.
-
Oral commissure stenosis and lower eyelid ectropion from burns are functionally impairing and challenging to treat. Evaluation of various treatment modalities is limited by a lack of preclinical models. Described is a method for inducing controlled, titratable oral commissure and lower eyelid burns in swine for future treatment research. ⋯ Oral commissure and lower eyelid burns create scars which may be modified by burn duration. This model may evaluate a therapeutic's ability to limit functional impairment from burns.
-
Severely burned patients exhibit increased nutritional requirements and are at high risk of developing sepsis. Selenium is an essential trace element supporting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways, mediated by incorporation into selenoproteins. The selenium status may affect sepsis risk in burn injury. ⋯ Considering its rapid decline following severe burn injury, the assessment of serum selenoprotein P upon admission may contribute to an early prediction of sepsis risk.