Efficacy of platelet rich plasma application in comparison to conventional dressing therapy in partial thickness burn wound

To determine the efficacy of Platelet Rich Plasma application in comparison to conventional dressing therapy in partial thickness burn wound . Comparative analytical study. This study was carried out at Department of Burns, Civil Hospital Karachi from March 2011 to January 2013. A comparative analytical study was conducted to determine the efficacy of Platelet Rich Plasma application in comparison to conventional dressing therapy in partial thickness burn wound at Department of Burns, Civil Hospital Karachi. All the admitted patients of either sex having age between 20-40 years, victims of fire and scald burn, having partial thickness burn with 10-30% of TBSA involved. Patients were divided into two groups on random basis. In group [A], Platelet Rich Plasma [PRP] application was given with three day gap between two applications until full recovery of the wound. While in group [B] conventional dressing therapy was adopted till full recovery of wound. All 30 patients of group A, selected for PRP application, were recovered maximally within 18 days [6 therapies with a gap of 3 days]. Whereas in other 30 cases, of group B selected for conventional dressing therapy, it took minimum 21 days or more for complete recovery. Hence recovery was found slow in conventional dressing therapy as compared to PRP and it is statistically significant at P,0.05. Platelet-rich plasma application in non-healing deep partial and full thickness burn wound accelerate the wound healing as compared to conventional dressing therapy and is very effective in preparing healthy beds for grafting and provides 100% graft take.Now it is up to the Burns surgeon to select it for rapid results to save time and cost with availability of more beds in Burn Centre

To evaluate the presence and spread of environmental pathogens and their sensitability. an epidemiological survey of the microbiological monitoring at burns ward civil hospital Karachi

To evaluate the presence and spread of environmental pathogens and their sensitability at burns ward civil hospital Karachi. Descriptive observational study. This study was conducted at Burns Center, Civil Hospital, Karachi during 2012. Samples were collected of air and examined through air microbe index. Samples of water were collected from different sources. Similarly samples were also collected from clothes, nails, hairs and hands of all the Health care personnel working in the burns ward. These samples were sent for culturing to conclude for presence of bacteria. Staphylococcus Aureus was the major organism obtained from the samples in the burns ward. The organism was also detected from the nasal swabs taken from some staff members. Being the most common cause of nosocomial infection it is necessary to take appropriate steps to cut the probable route of transmission. E.coli and Pseudomonas strains were also detected from the environment of the burns ward. E.coli was also detected in the food trays of the patient a probable route of transmission. Many of these strains were resistant to antibiotics which made it further difficult to treat them. Strains of Enterobacteriaceae, Proteus Mirabilis, Klebsiella and Citrobacter were collected from our personnel and were responsible for some hospital acquired infections. Staphylococcus Aureus was the major organism found. The major routes of transmission of opportunistic organisms were tap water and our staff members. Proper hygiene measures and awareness programs for the staff members should be carried out to aware them of the importance of hygiene

Frequency of chemical burn and mortality rate in admitted patients at a tertiary care hospital of Karachi

Developing countries have a high incidence of burn injuries creating a fear or respect public health problem. Acid assault is one of the most savagely violent of crime which aims to punish the victim or to destroy the victim's social life. This violent usually occurs in third world countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Iran etc. In Pakistan 7 to 17 burn admissions annually recorded during the study period. To assess the epidemiological factors in terms of incidence morbidity and mortality and the effect of social and cultural issues associated with the chemical burns. A cross sectional retrospective Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in burns ward of Civil Hospital Karachi from May 2004 to Oct2010. All the patients were identified the etiology and the extent of damage that was produced as a result of throwing corrosive chemicals. Overall 127 patients record were included in study. It was more commonly found in younger age group i.e. 21 -30 years. The incidence was much more in males [74.0 %] as well as stratified by age. Majority of the patients [90.6%] were burn with Accidental. Moreover, the patients who had 3RD degree burn [41.9%] that leads to more mortality in our circumstances. Septicemia was the leading cause of death. The burn injury was significantly associated with degree of burn, depth, extent and mode of injury. The most common incidence found was accidental followed by assault. Lack of information about the catastrophic outcome of this action plus the wide spread availability of strong destructive chemicals are the main reasons for the rising incidence of this crime. The majority of deep burns were on homicidal. So measure should be taken to generate awareness for protective measures, immediate first aid, proper professional treatment, restriction in availability of acid, implementation in the existing law regarding the bail of accused etc to prevent these accidents and ensure safety

To compare the rate of mortality among fire burn inhalational and non inhalational injuries in admitted patients at burns centre Civil hospital Karachi

To compare the rate of mortality in fire burn inhalational and non inhalational injuries. Retrospective, comparative study. The study was conducted at Burns centre, Civil Hospital, Karachi from January 2009 to December 2010. The study was conducted on admitted patients at Burns centre, Civil Hospital, Karachi. All male young male patients aged 20 to 40 years admitted in Burns ward [Civil Hospital, Karachi] suffering with fire burn inhalation or fire burn non inhalation injuries with burnt surface area between 20% - 50% were included in this study. Patients were followed until discharged or death. Out of total 300 male, 150 in each group having age between 20 and 40 years with 20% to 50% of burnt surface area and had sustained severe burn injuries admitted to Burn centre were included in the study. Of these, patients with fire burns inhalational injuries were at high incidence of mortality rate i.e. 66/150 [44%] as compared to non inhalational injuries i.e. 42/150 [28%] [P<0.05]. We conclude that patients with fire burn inhalation injuries are at increased risk of death, because in addition to severe cutaneous burns it also causes acute inflammation and damage of the respiratory system

Current Bacteriological profile in Fire-burn victims and their associated mortality at the Burns Centre, Karachi Pakistan

This study attempts to document the current bacteriological profile from pertinent specimens of fire burn victims in our setting with respect to the time related variations in the isolation of microbial species, extent of their burn injury and their effect on mortality rate. During a three year period [Jan 2008 to Dec 2010], a prospective study was conducted on 477 fire burn victims at the Burns Centre of Civil Hospital, Karachi, with the exclusions of electrical, chemical and other forms of burn injury. Blood, pus, urine and wound biopsy samples were collected and cultured according to standard laboratory protocols. The data was analyzed according to the age, gender, time related changes, percentage of burn surface and the mortality rate. Total 477 patients were included in our study. Multiple specimens were collected [n=732] of which 649 [88.7%] cultures were positive for different organisms. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest organism isolated in fire burn patients. During 1[st] week S. aureus was predominant [31.6%] followed by Pseudomonas. After 1[st] week S. aureus [24.6%] and Pseudomonas [25.5%] isolation rate became similar. Mortality rate due to infections was 18.9% in the subjects. S.aureus was the commonest cause of infection in fire burn patients in our setting followed by Pseudomonas. These suggests that hygiene should strictly be maintained around burn patients to avoid opportunistic infections

Glant recurrent ranula: is nature responsible for recurrence?

A case of giant recurrent ranula is reported in a 17 years young male. A methodical approach together with meticulous surgical technique resulted in a successful outcome

Modified cervicodorsal flap: a new approach to post-burn contracture of neck

A modified cervicodorsal fasciocutaneous flap, from the dorsal surface of the trunk, was developed in stages and used as a pedicle flap in four cases of Post-Burn Contracture with favourable results. This report describes this technique in detail