Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Severe burn injuries are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Well-implemented scoring systems for patients with major burns exist in the literature. A major disadvantage of these scores is the partial non-consideration of patient-related comorbidities. Published data on this matter is limited to small study cohorts and/or single center studies. Further, the effect of comorbidities on clinical outcome of patients with severe burn injuries has not yet been examined nationwide in a large cohort in Germany. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine the influence of comorbidities on clinical outcome of these patients based on data from the national registry. ⋯ Preexisting comorbidities have a significant impact on the clinical outcome of patients with severe burn injuries. Further investigation is warranted in order to supplement existing prognostic scores with new mortality-associated parameters.
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Recently, self-heating consumer pressure cookers have found reinvigorated use with consumers wanting faster, more convenient, and healthier cooking. With the increased popularity, injury reports have also increased. Hazards associated with dispersion from pressurized vessels, although qualitatively understood through elementary scientific principles, have not been experimentally characterized in the literature, nor has the human ability to respond to a sudden dispersion of contents been directly reviewed. ⋯ This study found that both pressure and volume level influence the dispersion of contents after lid opening as well as the lid departure speed. Results also indicate that the speed of both the departing lid and the dispersing liquid occurred quicker than a bystander, within arm's reach, can consciously react to avoid or to shield themselves from the hot contents. The results confirmed analytical analyses found in the literature that a single layer cotton shirt (e.g., a t-shirt) saturated with water is more likely to trap hot liquid, increasing the likelihood of a more severe burn in that area due to prolonged skin contact.