ABSTRACT
Introducción: la mortalidad de los pacientes con injuria térmica ha descendido a nivel mundial. Este hecho se ha relacionado en parte con la creación de centros especializados en el tratamiento de esta patología. En nuestro medio no existen estudios recientes que evalúen la evolución de la mortalidad en este tipo de centros. Objetivo: describir las características de la población asistida y la evolución de la mortalidad en el Centro Nacional de Quemados. Material y método: estudio transversal, observacional, descriptivo. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes ingresados con diagnóstico de quemadura cutánea o de injuria inhalatoria desde la inauguración del centro en 1995 hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2017. Resultados: ingresaron en el período de estudio 3.050 pacientes quemados, 25% presentaron una superficie corporal quemada superior o igual a 20%. Existió un predominio de pacientes jóvenes (más de 60% menores de 50 años) y de sexo masculino (62%). El agente causal más frecuente fue el fuego directo (71%), seguido por líquidos calientes (9%) y electricidad (5%). El 43% de los pacientes requirió asistencia ventilatoria mecánica, y la estadía media en el centro fue de 17 días. La mortalidad global fue de 19,7%, similar a la esperada de acuerdo a scores de severidad específicos. La mortalidad de los pacientes más graves ha descendido desde la apertura del centro. Conclusiones: nuestro centro asiste predominantemente a pacientes jóvenes, con siniestros que involucran al fuego como el principal agente causal. La mortalidad es acorde a la esperada de acuerdo a los scores de severidad, destacándose un descenso continuo de la misma a lo largo de los años. (AU)
Introduction: burned patients mortality has decreased because of a better understanding of initial shock pathophysiology, early surgical interventions, antibiotic therapy optimization and appropriate nutritional support. Mortality reduction has also been related to the creation of specialized burn centers. There are no recent reports of burn injury patients in our country. Objective: to describe characteristics and evolution of patients assisted at the national burned center (Centro Nacional de Quemados, Uruguay). Methods: transversal, observational, descriptive study. All patients admitted in the center with diagnosis of skin burns or inhalation injury, from the center's opening in 1995 through December 31, 2017. Results: during the study period 3,050-burned patients were admitted, 25% of which had a total body surface area burnt of at least 20%. There was a predominance of male sex (62%) and young patients (more than 60% had less than 50 years old). The most frequent responsible agent was direct fire (71%), followed by hot liquids (9%) and electricity (5%). Mechanical ventilation was needed in 43% of the patients, and mean length of stay in the center was 17 days. Overall mortality rate was 19.7%, accordingly to that predicted by specific severity scores. In the sub-group of more severe patients, mortality has progressively decreased since the center opening. Conclusions: our center assists young patients with burn injuries mostly caused by direct fire. Overall mortality is in line with the expected according to severity scores, having decreased progressively since the center inauguration.
Introduction: burned patients mortality has decreased because of a better understanding of initial shock pathophysiology, early surgical interventions, antibiotic therapy optimization and appropriate nutritional support. Mortality reduction has also been related to the creation of specialized burn centers. There are no recent reports of burn injury patients in our country. Objective: to describe characteristics and evolution of patients assisted at the national burned center (Centro Nacional de Quemados, Uruguay). Methods: transversal, observational, descriptive study. All patients admitted in the center with diagnosis of skin burns or inhalation injury, from the center's opening in 1995 through December 31, 2017. Results: during the study period 3,050-burned patients were admitted, 25% of which had a total body surface area burnt of at least 20%. There was a predominance of male sex (62%) and young patients (more than 60% had less than 50 years old). The most frequent responsible agent was direct fire (71%), followed by hot liquids (9%) and electricity (5%). Mechanical ventilation was needed in 43% of the patients, and mean length of stay in the center was 17 days. Overall mortality rate was 19.7%, accordingly to that predicted by specific severity scores. In the sub-group of more severe patients, mortality has progressively decreased since the center opening. Conclusions: our center assists young patients with burn injuries mostly caused by direct fire. Overall mortality is in line with the expected according to severity scores, having decreased progressively since the center inauguration.