Persistent vegetative state in electrical injuries: a 10-year review.

We reviewed 148 cases of electrical injury admitted to our burn centre. The incidence of persistent vegetative state was 3% (n=5), higher in the low-voltage (6.7%) than in high-voltage group (1.2%). At the time of trauma, 44% (n=65) lost consciousness and 50% of these (n=32) received cardiopulmonary resuscitation on arrival at hospital. Of these, 50% recovered (n=16), 22% became comatose (n=7) and 28% (n=9) died. Of the seven comatose patients, five did not show brain oedema but remained in a persistent vegetative state; this state was more common with low-voltage electrical injuries. The public should be warned of this effect of low-voltage trauma.

Chronic leg ulcers in Werner's syndrome.

We report two siblings suffered from Werner's syndrome, which is a rare premature aging disorder caused by genetic mutations. They developed premature aging during adolescence with loss and graying of hair, short stature, baldness, atrophic skin, thin extremities, flat feet, 'bird' face and cataracts. Multiple chronic ulcers were noted over the feet in both patients. Healing was prolonged because of atrophic subcutaneous tissue, poor perfusion, impaired fibroblast activity and the loss of normal foot architecture. Treatment of the ulcers was challenging, as flap options were limited over the lower third of the leg and skin grafting was not easy as there was a lack of healthy granulations. However, we have successfully closed the ulcers with Integra artificial skin and ultra-thin split thickness skin grafting with the scalp as donor site. The main purpose of this paper is to alert physicians to this syndrome when treatments are being planned for patients with chronic leg ulcers.

Intralesional corticosteroid therapy in proliferating head and neck hemangiomas: a review of 155 cases.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to review the effect of intralesional corticosteroid therapy in the treatment of 155 head and neck hemangiomas. METHODS: In the past 10 years, we have treated 155 proliferating head and neck hemangiomas with intralesional corticosteroid injections. Three to 6 injections of triamcinolone acetonide (10 mg/mL) in monthly intervals were given. Using slides and chart review, the results were assessed 1 month after completion of the treatment. RESULTS: Eighty-five percent of the lesions showed greater than 50% reduction in volume. Varied treatment response was noted in different classes of hemangioma. Eighty percent of the superficial, 75% of the deep, and 60% of the combined hemangiomas show more than 50% reduction in volume. Further growth was not found after treatment. The postinjection complication rate was 6.4% in this series. There were 2 patients with cushingoid appearance, 5 with cutaneous atrophy, and 3 suffered from anaphylactic shock. We found that lesions showing less than 50% reduction in volume were located mostly in the perioral area. CONCLUSIONS: Intralesional corticosteroid injections are safe and effective in arresting hemangioma proliferation. Superficial hemangiomas yield the best results.

Improved burn scar assessment with use of a new scar-rating scale.

The subjective assessment of scar appearance is a widely used method in the evaluation of burn outcomes and the efficacy of treatment methods. The purpose of this study is to design a numeric scar-rating scale with better interrater reliability than has previously been reported. The rating scale assesses scar surface, thickness, border height, and color differences between a scar and the adjacent normal skin. Eight raters were trained with use of a standardized set of photographs that provide examples of the scores to be assigned to each level of severity of each scar characteristic. The raters then rated 10 photographs of different scars, referring to the teaching set of pictures for comparison. The intraclass correlation (interrater reliability) was 0.94, 0.95, 0.90, and 0.85 for scar surface, border height, thickness, and color, respectively. This rating system has proved to be a useful tool for the evaluation of scar surface, thickness, border height, and color.

Facial mutilation after an assault with chemicals: 15 cases and literature review.

Facial mutilation after an assault with chemicals is rarely discussed in the literature even though it is a devastating injury that occurs worldwide and is not prohibited or punished by special laws. It is our purpose to describe the devastating outcome of facial mutilation after an assault with chemicals and to draw attention to this injury as a worldwide problem. We studied fifteen patients who sustained facial mutilation with chemicals. The common story was that the patient's spouse was the perpetrator, that sulfuric acid was used, and that the deed occurred after marital or financial discord. All victims were disfigured severely and most became reclusive and rarely left their homes. Six patients (40%) had total bilateral blindness and one suffered partial loss of vision. Lower eyelid ectropion (14), microstomia (12), cervical flexion contracture (10), ear deformity (8), and nostril stenosis (6) were common. Few of the perpetrators were prosecuted. We reviewed the literature and found that the problem has been described all over the world, and that the outcome is similar to that which we described. The problem deserves worldwide recognition and attention.

Do custom-fitted pressure garments provide adequate pressure?

Pressure garment therapy has become the worldwide standard of care for the prevention and treatment of hypertrophic scars. There are many reports in the literature on pressure garment therapy but few studies state the amount of pressure actually provided. The purpose of our study was to determine the amount of pressure applied to the scar/garment interface by custom-fitted pressure garments. The Iscan (Tekscan, Inc.) system was used to document scar/garment interface pressures of 144 new custom-fitted pressure garments. Average pressure readings for garments for the anterior thigh, anterior trunk, abdomen, buttocks, posterior trunk, posterior thigh, and arm were less than 22 mm Hg. Average pressure readings for the dorsal hand, leg, forearm, and dorsal foot were more than 28 mm Hg, with smaller relative standard deviations. The pressure readings varied greatly between garments in this group, frequently resulting in standard deviations that were higher than the pressure readings. The data show that despite precise fitting techniques, pressure garments do not provide a consistent amount of pressure at the scar/garment interface. This means that studies that report results of pressure therapy, but do not verify the amount of pressure applied, are of limited value. Precise determination of pressure "dose" must be made before the efficacy of pressure garment therapy can be determined objectively.

A new tool to measure pressure under burn garments.

This article introduces a new tool to measure the pressure that is under pressure garments. The Iscan (Tekscan, Inc.) system uses a patented ultra-thin (0.007 inch) sensor with multiple sensing locations that sample continuously at 100 times per second. It is noninvasive, convenient, and quick. The study had two parts. First, we established the validity and reliability of the device. Next, garment/scar interface pressures were measured on new garments with use of the Iscan system. Four garment types were studied, with 10 measurements made in each group: Isotoner gloves (Smith & Nephew Roylan, Inc.); custom-fit pressure gloves; Tubigrip forearm sleeves (Seton Health Care Group); and custom-fit pressure forearm sleeves. Mean garment/scar interface pressures were 18 +/- 2 mm Hg for the Isotoner glove, 34 +/- 5 mm Hg for the custom-fit pressure glove, 20 +/- 7 mm Hg for the Tubigrip sleeve, and 35 +/- 6 mm Hg for the custom-fit sleeve. We concluded that the Iscan system can be used to measure pressure under pressure garments accurately and reliably, and that custom-fit hand and forearm garments provide more pressure than Isotoner gloves or Tubigrip sleeves.

Improved accuracy of burn wound assessment using laser Doppler.

The utility of the laser Doppler for determining burn depth has been questioned because of problems with technology and methodology. This study prospectively evaluates the ability of a new laser Doppler technique to predict burn healing time. Using the Periflux System 4000 laser Doppler, readings were taken on 305 burns (147 patients) on postburn day 3 or 4. Sixty-six wounds were used to derive a predictive function (phase I) and 152 wounds were used to test the function (phase II). Blood flow dynamics (flux), microvascular dilation capacity of the wounds to beat stress, and flow motion wave pattern (vasomotion) were studied using the laser Doppler, and seven parameters were evaluated to determine their relative contribution to the prediction of healing time. These parameters are hyperemic flux (flux value after heating to 42 degrees C), average hyperemic wave amplitude (AHWA), number of average flux units >100(F100), number readings with wave amplitude 75 (A5), average flux change (AFC), percentage of average flux increase, and relative flow capacity (RFC = AFC/average hyperemic flux). After readings were made, the wounds were observed and divided into two groups: those that healed in less than 14 days and those that healed or were grafted after 14 days. A step-wise discriminant analysis was used to assess the relative contribution of the Doppler-derived measures to healing time prediction. AHWA, F100, and RFC were included in the final discriminant function explaining 72% of the healing time variance (Wilks' lambda value 0.28; p value <0.0001). Predicted outcome = 0.05(AHWA) + 0.31(F100) + 5.0(RFC) - 2.3. With this derived function, there is 94% accuracy in the prediction of burn wound healing time compared with a physician predictive accuracy of 70%.

Treatment of high-flow vascular malformations in the head and neck with arterial ligation followed by sclerotherapy.

The traditional treatment of high-flow vascular malformations consists of selective embolization, surgical removal, or a combination of both. Recurrence of the lesion and bleeding control are still the main problems, and the result of treatment is sometimes disappointing. We suggest treatment of these lesions with surgical ligation of the distal major feeding arteries followed by intravascular injection of a sclerosing agent (3% tetradecyl sulfate), and surgical excision and reconstruction when indicated. We have found this to be an effective treatment regimen. We present 14 cases of high-flow vascular malformations of the head and neck area treated with this approach, of which 4 cases developed skin necrosis. Three of these 4 cases of skin necrosis were later treated with skin grafting and, in 1 case, an upper arm skin tube flap was used for nasal tip reconstruction. Three cases underwent delayed reconstruction using tissue expanders. From a symptomatic and aesthetic point of view, preliminary satisfactory results were obtained. We feel that this approach is a good option for treating difficult, high-flow vascular malformations.

Traumatic asphyxia.

Four patients showing classic physical stigmata of traumatic asphyxia were studied. Cervicofacial cyanosis and edema, subconjunctival hemorrhage, and multiple ecchymotic hemorrhage of the face, neck, and upper part of the chest were documented. Admission Glasgow coma scale scores ranged from 8 to 15. All but one had no associated injury. Skin discoloration resolved within 3 weeks. Complete resolution of subconjunctival hemorrhage occurred 1 month later. In our series, sore throat, hoarseness, dizziness, numbness, and headaches were common. Profound lower leg pitting edema, hemoptysis, hemotympanum, and transient visual loss were noted. Chest radiographic findings were normal in all patients. Microscopic hematuria was noted in one patient. Diagnosis is made from the history and characteristic appearance of the patient. Treatment is directed to the associated injury. Oxygen supplement with head elevation to 30 degrees is the mainstay of treatment. If the patient survives the initial insult, the prognosis is excellent.

Supernumerary nostrils.

We encountered a rare case of four asymmetrical nostrils 10 years ago. The upper nostrils looked normal while the lower appeared as sinuses. The lower pair communicated with the nasal cavities but the upper pair was obliterated. There was a thick columella and an elongated continuous nasal septum separating the nasal cavities. The left nostril sill was thicker and situated higher than its counterpart. When the patient was 3 months old, the lower sinuses were trimmed and closed primarily, while the upper pair was perforated and kept patent with a silicone tube covered with a split thickness skin graft. Four years later, a revision was performed. Stages of operation were preferred as nasal growth was concerned. The result was satisfactory following 10 years of observation.