Articles: burns.
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J Burn Care Rehabil · Jan 2005
Multicenter StudyBurden of burn: a norm-based inquiry into the influence of burn size and distress on recovery of physical and psychosocial function.
This prospective, longitudinal study examined the influence of baseline physical and psychological burden on serial assessments of health-related quality of life among adults with major burns from three regional burn centers (n = 162). Physical burden groups were defined by % TBSA burned: <10%, 10% to 30%, or >30%. Psychological burden groups were defined by in-hospital distress using the Brief Symptom Inventory Global Severity Index T-score with scores of < 63 or > or = 63. ⋯ Physical functioning was significantly more impaired and the rate of physical recovery slower among those with either large physical burden or large psychological burden. Notably, psychosocial functioning also was more impaired and the rate of psychosocial recovery slower among those with greater psychological burden. These results suggest that, in addition to aggressive wound closure, interventions that reduce in-hospital distress may accelerate both physical and psychosocial recovery.
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In estimating small areas of burns, it is traditionally taught that the patient's palm is 1% of the body surface area. Whether the palm means the palmar surface of the whole hand or palm excluding the fingers, has not been very clear and is a source of confusion to many junior doctors. ⋯ It was done through a literature search, telephonic interviews and a review of Web-pages related to burns area estimation. The results highlighted the existing confusion on the topic and the need for educating junior doctors.
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J Burn Care Rehabil · Jan 2004
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialAquacel Ag in the management of partial-thickness burns: results of a clinical trial.
Aquacel Hydrofiber is a moisture retentive topical dressing that has been demonstrated to be safe and efficacious for the management of partial-thickness burns, showing parity for most dressing related aspects to cadaver skin for this indication. Recently, 1.2% w/w silver has been added to the Aquacel Hydrofiber, to create Aquacel Ag. This new material releases silver within the dressing for up to two weeks, and it is this duration that differentiates it from other sustained release silver delivery products indicated for burn management. ⋯ Pain reduction between baseline and postburn day number three and five was statistically significant. Conformability, general ease of use and other functional dressing properties were rated very positively. Overall, Aquacel Ag combines several properties known to be beneficial for the management of partial-thickness burns and is a very good choice for superficial and mid-thickness burn injuries.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The use of a collagen sponge/living cell composite material to treat donor sites in burn patients.
The objective of this study was to examine the safety and efficacy of bilayered cellular matrix, (OrCel) Ortec International, Inc., New York, NY in facilitating timely wound closure of split-thickness donor sites in severely burned patients. We utilized a matched pairs design; each patient had two designated donor sites of equivalent surface area and depth. Sites were randomized to receive a single treatment of either OrCel or the standard dressing Biobrane-L (Bertek Pharmaceuticals) Sugarland, TX. ⋯ This acceleration of wound healing was clinically important in enabling earlier recropping. OrCel sites also exhibited reduced scarring. Therefore, treatment of donor site wounds with OrCel is well tolerated, promotes more rapid healing, and results in reduced scarring when compared with conventional therapy with Biobrane-L.
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Impairment rating is regularly reported for trauma and other conditions but rarely for burns. The purposes of this study were: (1) to report impairment collected prospectively at our burn center, (2) to relate this impairment to measures of psychosocial and functional outcome, and (3) to compare these data to similar data from another burn center to verify that rating impairment is standardized and that the impairments are similar. We studied 139 patients from the University of Washington (UW) Burn Center and 100 patients from the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Burn Center. ⋯ Average whole person impairment ratings at UT Southwestern were similar at 19%. Several components of the impairment rating, however, differed at the two institutions. To minimize this variation, we recommend: (1) use the skin impairment definitions of the fifth edition of the Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (or the most recent published versions of the Guide), and (2) include sensory impairment in healed burns and skin grafts in the skin impairment.