Evaluating an urban pediatric hospital's scald burn prevention program.

BACKGROUND: Over 450,000 individuals are hospitalized with burns annually and roughly 35% are scald burns. Children younger than 5 years of age are at the greatest risk of scald burn injury. Caregiver burn prevention programs have been found to reduce the prevalence of injuries in young children; however, low-income and underserved populations seldomly have access to these programs. The impact of scald burn prevention programs in underserved populations remains unexplored. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of a scald burn prevention program at a Level One Pediatric Trauma Center in a low-income, underserved community. METHODS: Our hospital developed a one-hour scald burn prevention program for caregivers with children 5 years of age or younger. The program educated caregivers on ways to prevent scald burns and create safeguards in their home. Caregivers completed a pre-post survey to measure their ability to identify hot or cold objects, as well as respond to items about their perceptions of the program's utility, their willingness to share it with others, and the likelihood that they would use the information in the future. Data was analyzed using a paired t-test. RESULTS: Two-hundred and sixty-nine (N = 269) caregivers participated in the program. Before the program, caregivers could identify potentially hot objects 83.17% of the time, and after the program, they were able to identify these items 92.31% of the time: t (268) = 12.46, p < .001, d = 1.07. Additionally, 95% of caregivers indicated that the program was helpful, 99% stated that they were likely to share this information with others, and 100% indicated that they would use the information from the program. CONCLUSIONS: Education is a critical component to prevent scald burns. Results indicate that a hospital-led scald burn prevention program can positively impact a caregiver's ability to identify possible scald-burn risks. Providing education to caregivers who typically do not receive this information could lower the prevalence of scald burns not only institutionally, but in communities that are disproportionately impacted by this mechanism of injury.

A Simple Technique for Intraoperative Scalp Skin Graft Depilation Using Dermabond®.

Skin grafting is an essential aspect of burn and wound reconstruction. Split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) harvested from the scalp are used for wound and burn reconstruction. Skin grafts from the scalp bear hair and hair particles. Residual hair fragments and pieces of hair in the graft have been associated with many complications, including foreign body reaction similar to pseudofolliculitis and chronic inflammation that can lead to infections. It is important to remove the hair and the hair particles from the scalp graft before its application to the donor site. Traditionally, surgeons have employed some techniques including saline agitation and mechanical removal of the hair particles with forceps. These techniques are time consuming and can subject the graft to mechanical damage. There is another technique that has been described using an adhesive tape. This technique uses Ioban™ (3M Healthcare, St. Paul, MN), followed by a saline wash to remove hair from grafts prior to grafting. In this paper, we introduce a novel technique for intraoperative hair depilation prior to graft application to recipient site. We used Dermabond® (Ethicon, Bridgewater, NJ) to remove residual hair particles from the STSG donor. Our technique has several advantages: it is expeditious, it allows minimal mechanical damage to the graft, and can be used for patients with allergies to Ioban. Intraoperative Dermabond depilation of scalp STSGs is safe, easy, and effective.

The management of paediatric burns with Burns and Wounds ointment and burdock leaves: a case series.

OBJECTIVE: In the Amish community, natural therapies, such as Burns and Wounds (B&W) ointment and burdock leaves, are preferred over modern medicine when treating burn wounds. The primary aim of this case series is to highlight the use and clinical outcomes of this treatment for paediatric Amish patients. METHOD: At the a paediatric burn centre, two patients were treated with B&W ointment and burdock leaves. The first patient was 11 months old with 17% total body surface area (TBSA) partial and full-thickness scald burns to her lower extremities. The second patient was 24 months old with 20% TBSA partial-thickness scald burns to the torso, bilateral upper extremities, neck and chin. RESULTS: Soon after presentation to the hospital, both patients developed positive wound cultures and required cessation of ointment and burdock leaf therapy. Both patients ultimately underwent surgical interventions. CONCLUSION: Managing burn wounds with B&W ointment and burdock leaves should be considered as an additional option for wound care in select cases. However, the efficacy of this therapy is limited and standard-of-care modern medical burn treatments should remain an option for these patients. It is critically important to build a mutually respectful relationship with Amish patients' community leaders, as this allows open communication and collaboration in patient care and increases the likelihood that Amish guardians will bring their children to a hospital when necessary.

The Use of an Autologous Cell Harvesting and Processing Device to Decrease Surgical Procedures and Expedite Healing in Two Pediatric Burn Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Autologous cell harvesting and processing devices are designed to facilitate the harvesting of cells using enzymatic and physical disruption techniques to immediately apply non-cultured autologous cell suspension (ACS) to the wound area. OBJECTIVE: This case report evaluates clinical outcomes following application of cellular suspension with split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) as an adjunct for definitive closure of burn injuries and donor sites in 2 pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cases were performed under a humanitarian use protocol following institutional review board approval at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children (Philadelphia, PA). RESULTS: The first patient was a 4-year-old girl with partial- and full-thickness (32% total body surface area) burn injuries of her head, trunk, flank, arms, thighs, and feet. The patient was discharged 19 days following ACS treatment. The second patient was an 18-month-old girl with partial- and full-thickness (21% total body surface area) burns involving the bilateral lower extremities. She was discharged 22 days after ACS treatment with widely meshed autograft. Neither patient required additional surgical interventions. All treatment and donor areas for both patients remained uninfected and neither patient experienced any unexpected treatment-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: These cases are the first of their kind reported in the pediatric population and suggest ACS in conjunction with STSGs can help decrease surgical procedures and expedite healing in pediatric patients with large surface burns.

Flame time of a cigarette lighter to achieve temperature capable of inflicting a burn.

OBJECTIVE: Cigarette lighters are frequent vectors in intentional contact burns. Time and temperature needed to cause thermal injury are considered to differentiate accidental from inflicted burns. This study examines the minimum time needed to heat a cigarette lighter's top to temperatures capable of inflicting any clinically visible skin burn. This information could be useful in child abuse and other forensic cases. METHODS: A literature search was performed to establish the time and temperature at which partial/full thickness skin burns are acquired, regardless of vector. Using a thermocouple, the temperature of the top of two common lighters was measured at ten second intervals while sustaining maximal flame held both upright and sideways and during cooling once the flame was extinguished. RESULTS: In the literature, the lowest temperatures documented to cause burns in one second were 69°C-70°C for transepidermal or partial thickness burns. From an ambient temperature prior to flame ignition, it took over 50s for the lighter tops to reach 60°C when held upright. After 180s, the lighters were shut off. It then took less than 60s for the lighters to cool to less than 60°C. The BIC lighter held to the side heated to 60°C in about 15s and needed over 100s to cool to under 60°C. CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette lighter burns are often blamed on non-intentional occurrences. At least 50s of sustained flame is needed to heat typical cigarette lighter tops to temperatures capable of inflicting clinically visible skin burns. This time is longer than the time required to light a cigarette. Therefore, for a cigarette lighter to inflict a contact burn injury, there needs to be intent and preparation, making accidental cigarette lighter burns unlikely.

The Use of Glabrous Skins Grafts in the Treatment of Pediatric Palmar Hand Burns.

BACKGROUND: An often overlooked, yet useful, technique in the treatment of palmar hand burns is the use of glabrous skin grafting, particularly in dark-skinned individuals. Pediatric palmar burns are a particularly unique subset of burns. The typical split-thickness or full-thickness skin grafts leave a notably different skin texture and pigmentation. It is also known that the psychological aspects of a pediatric burn can be quite burdensome for a child as he or she progresses through childhood and adolescence. For a dark-skinned patient the placement a standard full-thickness skin graft in a nonpigmented palm provides for a constant reminder of a traumatic event. We report a case series of pediatric patients who were managed with glabrous skin grafting from the plantar aspect of the foot. METHODS: A retrospective review of palmar skin burns requiring grafting at a single pediatric burn center experience over a 2 and a half year time period was performed. Seventeen patients were identified. Our treatment algorithm for deep partial thickness burns first relies on a combination of operative and nonoperative measures to expedite the demarcation of the burn injury. If the burn is full thickness in nature or if a lack of progression of healing is identified within the first 14 days of injury, then skin grafting is recommended. Our technique for performing the graft is described. RESULTS: The average age at time of surgery was 2.05 years (6 months to 6.8 years). Fourteen of the 17 patients had darker skin types (Fitzpatrick Type III-VI) and identified themselves as either Hispanic or African American. The average size of the area requiring skin graft after debridement was 0.94% total body surface area (0.5%-2.0%). Of the patients that were not lost to follow-up, 1 patient required additional grafting after developing a finger contracture for splint noncompliance. Aesthetically, the wounds went on to heal with an excellent pigment match and an inconspicuous donor site. CONCLUSIONS: In the management of deep-partial or full-thickness palmar skin burns in the pediatric population that require grafting, the use of plantar glabrous skin grafts offers a reliable option for coverage. The aesthetic and functional results are improved over standard techniques.

Photoletter to the editor: Subcutaneous ciliated Mullerian cyst.

Cutaneous ciliated cysts are benign lesions occurring primarily on the lower extremity of girls and young women. We present a case of a cutaneous ciliated Mullerian cyst arising in the lower leg of a 14-year-old girl, with brief discussion of etiology and diagnosis. This is a rare entity with approximately 50 cases in the literature.

Randomized clinical study of SilvaSorb gel in comparison to Silvadene silver sulfadiazine cream in the management of partial-thickness burns.

This prospective, randomized study assessed the clinical, microbiological, and patient comfort characteristics of two silver-based topical agents in the management of partial-thickness burn wounds. Pediatric patients were randomly assigned to treatment with either SilvaSorb Gel (Medline Industries, Munedelein, IL) or Silvadene silver sulfadiazine cream (King Pharmaceuticals, Bristol, TN) for up to 21 days or to the point of full reepithelialization of the wound. Inclusion criteria were patients ranging in age from 2 months to 18 years with TBSA ranging from 1 up to 40%. A total of 24 patients were enrolled and completed the study. Findings demonstrated that the use of SilvaSorb Gel was associated with less pain and greater patient satisfaction when compared with Silvadene. No statistically significant differences were found when assessing the rate of infection, time to reepithelialization, or the number of dressings changes required during treatment. The reduction of pain and improved overall patient satisfaction with the use of SilvaSorb Gel compared with Silvadene indicates an important role for SilvaSorb Gel in treatment of partial-thickness burns in a pediatric population.

Rapid maxillary distraction protocol utilizing the halo distraction system and rigid internal fixation.

OBJECTIVE: To shorten head frame wear time associated with external halo distraction (HD), we have adapted a protocol for maxillary distraction with the halo system that integrates plate fixation. PARTICIPANTS: All patients had a history of cleft lip and/or palate and maxillary retrusion > or = 8 mm. Five patients treated with this protocol and followed for at least 1 year were included in this study. INTERVENTIONS: The protocol included a 3-day latency period, variable maxillary distraction, and removal of the halo device with simultaneous rigid internal fixation. Two patients had a variable period of maxillomandibular fixation (MMF), which maintained the maxillary advancement and idealized intercuspal position while permitting further callus maturation. Cephalographs were obtained preoperatively, immediately following distractor removal, and 1 year after rigid internal fixation. RESULTS: The mean age at time of surgery was 18.7 years. The maxillary deficiency ranged from 8 to 15 mm (mean = 10.6 mm). All five patients demonstrated excellent occlusion. Cephalometric analysis 1-year post rigid internal fixation revealed minimal (<1 mm) skeletal relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid maxillary distraction followed by MMF to maintain maxillary advancement may reduce halo device wear to 1 to 2 weeks. MMF optimizes occlusion by forcing the maxillary teeth into maximal intercuspal position. Rigid fixation is not only associated with less long-term relapse compared to nonrigid forms of fixation, but also minimizes the incidence of nonunion. This treatment protocol provides the advancement possible with distraction osteogenesis and the accuracy of orthognathic surgery, thereby minimizing external head frame wear.

Outcome following removal of infected tissue expanders in breast reconstruction: a 10-year experience.

Although several studies have analyzed risk factors for tissue expander removal prior to permanent implant placement in breast reconstruction, the outcome following explantation because of infection is unknown. From a prospectively maintained database covering a 10-year period, 39 such patients were identified. Twelve (30.8%) had prior radiotherapy. Nine patients (23%) underwent reexpansion, 3 (7.7%) had a latissimus dorsi flap and expander, and 1 (2.6%) received a free transverse rectus abdominis flap. Recurrent infection occurred in 1 reexpanded patient. Two patients developed late contractures. All other reconstructions were successful. Twenty-six patients (66.7%) did not undergo secondary reconstruction, most commonly due to a combination of patient preference, cancer progression, and radiotherapy. After removal of an infected expander, most patients who are interested and remain good candidates can still be reconstructed. Reexpansion was successful in patients without prior radiotherapy. Secondary reconstruction with autologous tissue is appropriate when there is a history of radiotherapy.