RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: This study investigated aetiology of burn cases presenting to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh to identify factors that influence the number of outpatient visits patients make to the Plastic Dressing Clinic (PDC) following discharge. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all paediatric burn cases presenting between January 2009 and July 2012. Information gathered included patient demographics, burn aetiology, details of inpatient admission and outpatient PDC attendance. RESULTS: 287 cases were identified, mean age 2.79 years (range 0-15), gender ratio 1.52:1 (M:F). Scald was the most common aetiology, n=172 (59.9%). Most burns were superficial thickness, n=173 (60.3%). One-way ANOVA showed that full thickness burn, skin graft and pressure garment therapy significantly increased the number of PDC appointments (p<0.05). Pearson correlation coefficient found that length of stay in hospital and time spent in theatre were positively correlated to the number of PDC appointments (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Outpatient utilisation of the PDC can be predicted from burn characteristics. Full thickness burn, skin graft and pressure garment therapy are identified to significantly increase the number of PDC appointments following paediatric burn.
