Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Case Reports
Experience of reverse medial arm flaps in the reconstruction of burned elbow scar contractures.
There are many methods to correct scar contractures in the elbow region after burn injury, including Z-plasty, Y-V or rectangular flaps, local or distant fasciocutaneous flaps, muscle or myocutaneous flaps, free flaps, tissue expanders and non-surgical orthotics. Among these, the reverse medial arm island flap, based on the recurrent ulnar artery, has proved to be a convenient local fasciocutaneous flap for elbow scar reconstruction. In the past 2 years, 12 reverse medial arm flaps were used in 11 patients. ⋯ Two complications, one partial flap necrosis, another ulnar nerve compression, were noted. Our clinical experience with this flap encourages us to use it for burn elbow reconstruction in the future. The advantages and disadvantages are discussed.
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The occurrence of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pneumonia was assessed in 482 patients with severe burns, but without evidence of inhalation injury. The patients were resuscitated during the burn shock period with a low-volume formula consisting mainly of plasma. ⋯ These incidences were compared with other studies, and a pathophysiological explanation has been offered to explain differences in the frequency of pulmonary complications. The present review indicates that resuscitation with a low-volume formula consisting mainly of colloids can act as prophylaxis for reducing the incidence of ARDS and pneumonia.
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Forty-seven children under the age of 5 years admitted for contact burns into the Burns Unit of the Birmingham Accident Hospital during the period 1981-88 were reviewed. Contact burns formed only 3.93 per cent of all the thermal injuries seen in this age group for the same period. ⋯ Although the sizes of the burns were generally small, the potential scarring and disability were recognized and this influenced the management. The prevention of contact burns from hot electric irons has been discussed and the need to look out for non-accidental injuries emphasized.
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The following report reviews 851 applications of Biobrane on partial skin thickness burn wounds awaiting epithelialization. After the patients had been evaluated and resuscitated as needed, the burn wounds were cleansed and debrided. Those evaluated as shallow were treated with Biobrane application. ⋯ Very deep wounds will not allow Biobrane adherence, neither will it occur if the wound has a high bacterial count. If joint surfaces are not splinted, the Biobrane will shear and not adhere to the wound. Convex and concave surfaces can be treated with Biobrane, which may need to be meshed.
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The blanket factory building at Kibbutz Urim in Israel was completely destroyed by a devastating fire. Forty-five of the 62 workers were injured, most of them very mildly, by inhalation of smoke. No skin burns were recorded. The preplanned fire evacuation programme that was routinely rehearsed and precisely carried out during the event prevented the grave results that could have followed such a disaster.