Treatment of Partial Thickness Burns: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Four Routinely Used Burns Dressings in an Ambulatory Care Setting.

This prospective, randomized controlled trial study compared the effects of four dressings for adult partial thickness burns, focusing on re-epithelialization time and cost effectiveness. Adults with partial thickness burns meeting inclusion criteria were randomized to either Biobrane™, Acticoat™, Mepilex® Ag, or Aquacel® Ag. Primary endpoint for analysis was >95% re-epithelialization. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated based on dressing costs. Dominance probabilities between treatment arms were calculated from bootstrap resampling trial data. One hunderd thirty-one partial thickness burn wounds in 119 patients were randomized. Adjusting for sex, age, smoking status, burn mechanism, TBSA, and first aid adequacy, Mepilex® Ag had a reduced time to re-epithelialization compared to Biobrane™ (IRR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.07-1.48, P < .01). Economic analysis showed that there was a 99%, 71%, and 53% probability that Mepilex® Ag dominated (cheaper and more effective) Biobrane™, Acticoat™, and Aquacel® Ag, respectively. Mepilex® Ag achieved faster re-epithelialization and better cost effectiveness. Patient satisfaction and comfort seems better with Biobrane™ although not reflected within the end outcome of the healed wound. It is the patients' (after extensive education) and clinicians' choice, level of experience, and availability of products in praxis that will guide the decision as to which the product is used individually on which patient.

Effectiveness and safety of ablative fractional CO2 laser for the treatment of burn scars: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Burn scars are a major clinical challenge. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of one treatment with the ablative fractional CO2 laser (AFL-CO2) compared to standard burn scar treatment. METHOD: From December 2014 to October 2018 patients were prospectively recruited and treatment effects analyzed by assessing various outcome parameters from the date of first consultation and after treatment. A case control study was conducted looking at the impact of one AFL-CO2 treatment compared to a cohort subjected to conventional conservative treatment. Adverse effects were noted at follow up. RESULTS: 187 patients were included, with 167 in the AFL-CO2, and 20 in the control cohort. Baseline demographics and scar characteristics showed no significant differences. Ultrasound measured scar thickness as well as the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) revealed a significant reduction in the treatment cohort, but no significant improvement in the control group. The POSAS-O was significantly improved in both cohorts. Subjective parameters (POSAS-P, DN4-Pain, and modified D4Pruritus scores) decreased significantly in the AFL-CO2 cohort but remained unchanged in the control group. The BSHS-B quality of life score increased significantly in the AFL-CO2 group, but worsened at the follow up of the untreated patients. Sub-domain analyses found the biggest differences in Affect, Body Image, Heat Sensitivity, Treatment and Work. Complications occurred in 5 patients (2.9%). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that AFL-CO2 is an effective and safe treatment modality for burn scars improving thickness, symptoms and quality of life of burn survivors when compared to conventional scar treatment.

Ablative fractional resurfacing for burn scar management affects the number and type of elective surgical reconstructive procedures, hospital admission patterns as well as length of stay.

BACKGROUND: Reconstructive surgery remains the main approach to address burn scar contractures. Ablative fractional resurfacing is an increasingly popular tool for severe burn scar management, but its effect on overall burns reconstructive case-mix, operating time and patterns of hospital admission have not been reported. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of hospital administrative data from September 2013 to June 2017 was performed evaluating these effects of ablative fractional CO2 laser (CO2-AFL). RESULTS: The total number of acute burn patients treated at CRGH increased substantially over this timeframe, resulting in 412 elective procedures including 82 before and 330 after introducing CO2-AFL. The proportion of traditional non-laser reconstructive procedures dropped considerably to 23.9% in about 2.5 years following CO2-AFL introduction. This change in approach had a profound effect on LOS with average LOS being 1.96days for non-laser and 0.36days for CO2-AFL-procedures (p<0.001). Anaesthetic times also decreased significantly, with median durations at 90min pre-laser and 64min post-laser introduction (p<0.001), and median anaesthetic times at 87min (non-AFL) and 57min (AFL procedures) (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: AFL profoundly affects elective reconstructive burn case mix with a replacement of conventional reconstructive operations in favour of AFL-procedures. This results in reductions of average LOS and anaesthetic times. Consequently, increased use of AFL in burn scar management could potentially reduce overall costs associated with burn scar reconstruction.

Ablative Fractional Resurfacing in Acute Care Management of Facial Burns: A New Approach to Minimize the Need for Acute Surgical Reconstruction.

Current evidence suggests awaiting for scars to fully mature before engaging surgical reconstruction unless acute indications to prevent secondary damage, such as microstomia and eyelid ectropion are apparent. To evaluate the efficacy of ablative fractional CO2 laser intervention early in the acute treatment of panfacial burn injury. A 39-year-old Asian male with 60% TBSA flame burns including panfacial involvement was developing microstomia and upper and lower eyelid ectropion early proceeding epithelialization. At 6-weeks postinjury, ablative fractional CO2 laser treatment was commenced while still in the intensive care unit, and subsequently delivered at regular intervals. Nonsurgical scar contracture management was provided concurrently as per site specific standard protocols. Measurements and photographic data relative to deficits in eye and mouth competence were obtained at rest, as well as maximal opening at baseline and routinely until scar stabilization was reached. The outcomes were subsequently compared with facial burn patient historical data within our facility. No significant difference was identified in the functional ROM for mouth and eye regions; treatment duration was, however, shorter and aesthetic outcomes were considered superior to their surgical reconstruction counterparts in the historical cohort. This case report reveals that early ablative fractional CO2 resurfacing treatment, coalesced with nonsurgical scar management is an efficacious interventional approach to abate contractures to the face, accelerates and enhances scar maturation processes and may alleviate the need for surgical scar reconstructions. Moreover, optimal aesthetic outcomes may be achieved compared with traditional reconstructive methods.

Rehabilitation of speech and swallowing after burns reconstructive surgery of the lips and nose.

Rehabilitation of speech and swallowing postburns reconstructive surgery has not been previously described in detail in the literature. Severe facial burn injury requiring subsequent reconstructive surgery may result in complications including circumoral contracture and aesthetic and functional irregularities. These complications may manifest as facial and labial sensation deficits, poor oral access for intubation and oral/dental hygiene, and inadequate oral competence causing chronic drooling and poor articulation. This report describes the physical rehabilitation of a patient with full-thickness burns to the nose, lips, mouth, and chin following electrical burn injury. The severity of injury sustained placed the patient at high risk for microstomia, dysphagia, and speech disorder. A multidisciplinary team approach was used to coordinate the planning of reconstructive procedures, facilitate patient recovery, and optimize functional and aesthetic outcomes. Speech pathology intervention aimed to 1) facilitate safe transition from nonoral to oral intake, 2) improve articulation and speech intelligibility, and 3) minimize oral contracture development. At 6 months postinjury, the patient can safely tolerate a soft diet, demonstrate speech clarity at preinjury level, and has recovered functional oral range of movement. Rehabilitation of speech and swallowing is an essential factor to consider when planning postburn reconstructive procedures.

Burns and amputations: a 24-year experience.

Although the management of the severely burnt extremity poses a significant therapeutic dilemma, burn injuries resulting in amputation are uncommon, In such cases, however, amputation can reduce the rate of mortality. In a total of 1858 patients from January 1980 to January 2004, there were 34 amputations in 27 patients. There were 23 men (age range, 14-64 years) and 4 women (age range, 34-85 years). The majority of amputations from burns caused by flame injury predominantly after motor vehicle accidents, with only eight cases resulting from high-voltage electrical injury. Nine patients required immediate amputations, with the rest being delayed. There were three deaths, with a survival rate of 89%. The majority of single lower-limb amputees and only one of seven bilateral amputees were independently mobile. The presence of pre-existing psychiatric disease significantly impaired rehabilitation. Free tissue transfer and the usage of bioengineered materials may help reduce the incidence of amputations.

The Bali burn disaster: implications and lessons learned.

In October 2002, a terrorist attack on a nightclub in Bali resulted in an explosion and fire, causing the deaths of more than 200 people, including 88 Australian citizens. After first aid and primary care, the injured were repatriated to Darwin for triage and continued treatment and were then disseminated to various burn units throughout Australia. At the Repatriation General Hospital Concord Sydney, we received 12 patients with burns and a variety of blast injuries. Their treatment was complicated by infection with multiresistant organisms that were previously unseen in our unit and the presence of complex shrapnel wounds. There were no deaths and, with two exceptions, all patients were discharged within 6 weeks. This incident had profound effects on our unit, particularly related to the management of high-velocity shrapnel injuries, serious ongoing septic complications, and the psychological effects on both patients and staff, all of which are detailed and discussed.