ABSTRACT
Mortality and length of stay (LOS) of survivors was examined retrospectively in 270 adults with acute burns > or =20% of body surface area to determine the effect of Integra Dermal Regeneration Template treatment on outcome. No difference in mortality was found between patients who received Integra (30%; n = 43) and patients who did not (30%; n = 227). Surviving Integra patients (n = 30) stayed longer, but they were more extensively injured than survivors who did not receive Integra (n = 158), and therefore longer hospitalizations were expected. In a subgroup analysis, mean LOS of Integra patients with two or more mortality risk factors (age > 60 years, burn size >40% body surface area, or inhalation injury; n = 15) was 63 days compared with 107 days in patients with two or more risk factors (n = 29) who did not receive Integra ( =.014). Integra use in severely injured burned adults was associated with a marked decrease in LOS.
Subject(s)
Biocompatible Materials/therapeutic use , Burns/therapy , Length of Stay , Survivors , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Burns/mortality , Burns/pathology , Chondroitin Sulfates , Collagen , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Retrospective Studies , Time Factors , Trauma Severity IndicesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Increased mortality, extensive visceral involvement, and necrotizing tracheobronchitis associated with herpes viruses have been reported after burns. It is unclear whether herpes presenting as a facial rash results in outcome changes after burns. METHODS: A retrospective study characterizing the incidence, presentation, and outcome of 14 patients with facial herpes rashes out of 95 severely burned intubated adults was performed. RESULTS: Facial rashes attributed to herpetic infections were found in at least 15% of patients. The problem was recognized during the second week after burn. There was no difference in mortality or length of stay noted between patients with or without the infection. CONCLUSION: The course of this infection was relatively benign in this group of acyclovir-treated patients. Even so, the lesions clearly contributed to patient discomfort and often produced fevers requiring costly investigations. Early recognition could help prevent diffuse spread of the lesions, decreasing patient discomfort and improving patient care.
