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Volume XXIX |
Number 3 |
September 2016 |
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Summaries
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STATISTICAL AND CLINICAL ANALYSIS OF ALTERATIONS IN GLUCOSE VALUES AFTER BURNS
(Belba M.K., Petrela E., Belba A., Mano V., Belba G. - Albania)
The purpose of this study was to evaluate independent factors (mainly critical hyperglycaemic values on admission) with an impact on outcome in burn patients (sepsis and mortality) and analyse prevalence of critical hyperglycaemia on admission and during burn disease in adult and elderly patients with severe burns. This was an observational retrospective cohort study involving burn patients (? 20 years old) hospitalized in the ICU of the Burn Facility in Albania during 2010-2014. Patients were categorized as having euglycaemia, moderate or critical hyperglycaemia. Regression analysis, hyperglycaemia prediction test and risk measurement were performed for the population. Statistical significance for SIH was only found for glucose values on admission, presence of diabetes and BMI. Using 180 mg/dl as cut off for critical hyperglycaemia, we found that this test had a sensitivity of 66.67% (95% CI: 44.68% to 84.33%), specificity of 88.20% (95% CI: 84.16% to 91.51%), PPV of 29.63% (95% CI: 17.99% to 43.61%) and NPV of 97.26% (95% CI: 94.67% to 98.81%). Statistical significance was found for patients with critical hyperglycaemia on admission regarding relative and absolute risk measures for sepsis and mortality. Glucose values on admission, as one of the derangement features of burn shock, are prognostic factors in critical hyperglycaemia during disease, and have a close relationship with other outcomes (sepsis and mortality).
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| 172 |
MONITORING AND TREATMENT OF COAGULATION ABNORMALITIES IN BURN PATIENTS. AN INTERNATIONAL SURVEY ON CURRENT PRACTICES
(Lavrentieva A., Depetris N., Kaimakamis E., Berardino M., Stella M. - Greece)
The magnitude of coagulation abnormalities, and the definition and treatment of coagulopathy in burn patients are inadequately understood and continue to be discussed in the literature. We aimed to analyse physicians' views on monitoring and treating coagulation abnormalities in burn patients. A total of 350 questionnaires were distributed electronically to burn ICU physicians. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Responses were analysed electronically and comparisons were made according to the region of the ICU or the specialty of the physician. Of the 350 questionnaires distributed, 55 (15.7%) were returned. The majority of burn specialists consider sepsis-induced coagulopathy to be the most frequent coagulopathy in burn patients, and 74.5% declare that they do not use any specific definition/scoring system in their department to detect coagulopathy. The majority of specialists (70.8%) use standard coagulation tests. The most frequent indications for plasma transfusion are massive bleeding (32.8%) and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation syndrome treatment (20%). The main specific factors reported in our study are cryoprecipitate (23.2%) and fibrinogen concentrate (18.9%). 21.1% of respondents state that they do not use any specific coagulation factor substitution in burn patients. Specific coagulation factor substitution is not a routine practice. The low response rate precludes the generalization of our results.
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| 178 |
ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME IN BURN PATIENTS: INCIDENCE AND RISK FACTOR ANALYSIS
(Silva L., Garcia L., Oliveira B., Tanita M., Festti J., Cardoso L., Lavado E., Grion C. - Brazil)
After a burn lesion, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) may occur via direct lung injury due to inhaled smoke and fumes or mediated by the inflammatory response associated with the burn or its infectious complications. The aim of the present study is to assess the epidemiologic profile of ARDS in adult burn patients admitted to intensive care in a burn unit at a university hospital. A prospective cohort study was performed from January to December 2012. Demographic and diagnostic data, prognostic scores, etiology and data on the extent and depth of burns were collected. Data related to risk factors for ARDS and death were also recorded. A total of 85 patients were included in the study. Patients were aged 41.7 (SD = 15.7) years old; 71.8% were male and the mean total body surface area burned was 28.3% (SD = 19.1%); 35.3% presented inhalation injuries. Invasive ventilatory support was required in 44 ICU inpatients (51.8%). ARDS was diagnosed in 38.6% of patients under invasive mechanical ventilation. In multivariate analysis, the presence of inhalation injuries was a risk factor for ARDS (OR = 9.75; CI 95% 2.79 - 33.95; P < 0.001). ARDS is a common complication in burn patients admitted to specialized intensive care units. Inhalation injuries were an independent risk factor for ARDS. Mortality rate observed in the study patients was high and associated with ARDS diagnosis.
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| 183 |
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY IN CRITICALLY BURNED PATIENTS RESUSCITATED WITH A PROTOCOL THAT INCLUDES LOW DOSES OF HYDROXYETHYL STARCH
(Sánchez-Sánchez M., Garcia-de-Lorenzo A., Cachafeiro L., Herrero E., Asensio MJ., Agrifoglio A., Flores E., Estebanez B., Extremera P., Iglesias C., Martinez J.R. - Spain)
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an important complication in burn patients. Recently, it has been recommended that hydroxyethyl starch (HES) be avoided in burn patients because it increases the incidence of AKI. Our purpose was to study incidence of AKI in critically ill burn patients resuscitated with Ringer's solution and supplements of HES. We conducted an observational study of 165 patients admitted to the critical care burn unit (with 30 ± 15% TBSA burned). The main outcome measures were incidence of AKI, contributions of colloids and crystalloids, various severity scores, comorbidities, complications and mortality. According to the RIFLE criteria, 10 (6.1%) patients presented with Risk, 11 (6.7%) presented with Injury and 11 (6.7%) presented with Failure. According to the AKIN criteria, 9.7% presented stage I, 3% stage II and 10.3% stage III. Replacement therapy (RRT) was performed in 15 patients (9.1%), but in 6 of them RRT was employed in the final stages of multi-organ failure. The incidence of AKI in severe burn patients is high according to the RIFLE or AKIN criteria and these patients experience more complications and higher mortality. Our study suggests that the use of HES in low doses in the burn resuscitation phase does not cause more AKI than resuscitation without HES, but further evaluation is required. Further studies should be conducted.
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| 189 |
BLAST PULMONAIRE PRIMAIRE CHEZ LE BRÛLÉ. A PROPOS D'UN CAS ET REVUE DE LA LITTÉRATURE
(Siah S., Emane A., Bertin-Maghit M. - Maroc)
Le blast est à l'origine de lésions spécifiques pour lesquelles une prise en charge spécialisée est nécessaire. Après une explosion on peut observer des lésions de blast primaire, liées à l'onde de choc, secondaire par polycriblage et tertiaire par projection du patient. Les blasts secondaire et tertiaire sont plus fréquents que le blast primaire et peuvent entraîner un polytraumatisme. Dans 5% des cas, on retrouve des brûlures pouvant faire partie du blast quaternaire, qui regroupe toutes les lésions d'autres mécanismes que ceux précités. La prise en charge des lésions secondaires et tertiaires de blast est comparable à celle des traumatisés graves. Le blast pulmonaire primaire aggrave le pronostic des blessés les plus graves mais impose rarement une prise en charge spécifique. La connaissance des particularités physiopathologiques et lésionnelles permet de mieux traiter les blastés et brûlés graves survivants. Nous rapportons une observation de blast pulmonaire primaire chez un brûlé.
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| 192 |
LATE COMPLICATIONS OF HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL INJURY MIGHT INVOLVE MULTIPLE SYSTEMS AND BE RELATED TO CURRENT PATH
(Azzena B., Tocco-Tussardi I., Pontini A., Presman B., Huss F. - Italy)
Delayed complications of electrical burns are mostly unexpected, and the link between the injury and the symptoms often goes unrecognized. A possible relation between source-ground sites and late clinical manifestations was recently emphasized. We report a unique case of combined intestinal-spinal delayed complications following a high-voltage electrical injury, a possible explanation being a greater current flow through the right hemisoma. The potential for late complications is an additional feature that physicians must consider in managing electrical injuries. Manifestations are variable and presentation is confounding, but current flow path can constitute a precious source of information to predict complications in the late phase of management.
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| 196 |
TEMPORARY COVERAGE OF BURNS WITH A XENOGRAFT AND SEQUENTIAL EXCISION, COMPARED WITH TOTAL EARLY EXCISION AND AUTOGRAFT
(Elmasry M., Steinvall I., Thorfinn J., Olofsson P., Abbas A.H., Abdelrahman I., Adly O.A., Sjoberg F. - Sweden)
During the 80s and 90s, early and total excision of full thickness burns followed by immediate autograft was the most common treatment, with repeated excision and grafting, mostly for failed grafts. It was hypothesized, therefore, that delayed coverage with an autograft preceded by a temporary xenograft after early and sequential smaller excisions would lead to a better wound bed with fewer failed grafts, a smaller donor site, and possibly also a shorter duration of stay in hospital. We carried out a case control study with retrospective analysis from our National Burn Centre registry for the period 1997-2011. Patients who had been managed with early total excision and autograft were compared with those who had had sequential smaller excisions covered with temporary xenografts until the burn was ready for the final autograft. The sequential excision and xenograft group (n=42) required one-third fewer autografts than patients in the total excision and autograft group (n=45), who needed more than one operation (p<0.001). We could not detect any differences in duration of stay in hospital / total body surface area burned% (duration of stay/TBSA%) (2.0 and 1.8) (p=0.83). The two groups showed no major differences in terms of adjusted duration of stay, but our findings suggest that doing early, smaller, sequential excisions using a xenograft for temporary cover can result in shorter operating times, saving us the trouble of making big excisions. However, costs tended to be higher when the burns were > 25% TBSA.
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| 202 |
THE MODIFIED USE OF SURFASOFT® IN SKIN GRAFTS: CASE SERIES
(Salibi A., Chasapi M., Farroha A. - UK)
Surfasoft® is a monofilament woven polyamide thread. Its use over skin grafts has always been combined with other occlusive dressings. Its rapid application and transparent property makes it an ideal primary dressing in the absence of any occlusive layers after the first two days following skin graft application. We describe this modified use in our case series. We modified the use of Surfasoft® in four different burns patients and one skin cancer case. Surfasoft® was predominantly used on difficult sites and secured with either staples or sutures. A secondary occlusive dressing was only applied in the first 48 hours, then removed, leaving Surfasoft® as a single dressing until it spontaneously separated from the graft approximately 7-10 days post op. Complete healing of grafts was defined when dressing was no longer required. The majority of burns were full thickness with an average TBSA of 6.5%. Distribution was mainly to the neck and upper torso areas. The skin cancer was located on the right shoulder region. Graft healing was completed in 3-4 weeks following surgery. No complications were reported. Advantages of the modified Surfasoft® in addition to factors associated with graft survival in our series are discussed. The modified Surfasoft® was shown to be a simple and reliable dressing for meshed STSGs in both burns and elective procedures. We believe that it can be effectively used in sites associated with poor tolerance to conventional dressing and when nursing resources are limited.
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| 206 |
A MAJOR BURN INJURY IN A LIVER TRANSPLANT PATIENT
(Delikonstantinou I., Philp B., Kamel D., Barnes D., Dziewulski P. - UK)
Immunosuppressive therapy may aggravate the clinical course of a burned patient, primarily affecting wound healing and thus complicating permanent wound coverage. We hereby present the successful management of a 48-year-old female liver transplant recipient with a major burn injury, aiming to elucidate the effects of the patient's immunosuppression on surgical treatment. After admission to the Burns ITU, the patient underwent serial debridement of the burn and coverage with cryopreserved allografts. Despite immunosuppression, no prolonged survival of the allo-epidermis was documented. Nevertheless, a variable degree of vascularized allo-dermis was clinically identified. She subsequently underwent skin autografting and was discharged home with most of the wounds healed. Although there are isolated reports of survival of skin allografts in immunocompromised patients, in our case the allografted skin did not provide permanent wound coverage. However, it permitted a staged surgical management, allowing the immunosuppressive regime to change, the skin donor sites to heal and it also provided a dermal scaffold for successful skin autografting.
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| 209 |
SUPRACLAVICULAR ARTERY PERFORATOR FLAP IN MANAGEMENT OF POST-BURN NECK RECONSTRUCTION: CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
(Ismail H., Elshobaky A. - Egypt)
Anterior cervical contractures of the neck represent a great challenge for plastic and reconstructive surgeons. Necks can be reconstructed with a wide range of surgical techniques, including chimeric flaps, supercharged flap, pre-expanded flaps, "superthin" flaps and perforator flaps. The supraclavicular flap is easy to harvest without the need for free tissue transfer. It provides a relatively large flap for neck resurfacing with tissue very similar to that of the neck. Between January 2013 and March 2015, 20 patients suffering from postburn neck contracture underwent reconstruction with 20 unilateral supraclavicular artery perforator flaps. Nineteen patients had post-burn neck contractures (9 cases type ?c, 10 cases type ?c) while only one had post-burn granulation tissue in the neck. We harvested fifteen flaps from the right side and five from the left. Size of the reconstructed defect ranged from 23x10 to14x6, and flap size varied from 25/11 to 16/7cm. Period of follow up ranged from 27-2months (average 12.3). Nineteen flaps survived well (95% survival rate): only one was lost due to iatrogenic extensive dissection over the pedicle. Five cases showed distal superficial epidermolysis, and 2 cases showed 2 cm complete distal necrosis. All patients were managed conservatively. Our results coincide with other literature results confirming the efficacy and rich vascularity of this flap. In all cases with distal partial necrosis, flaps were 23 cm or more. We recommend that supraclavicular flaps of more than 22 cm in length are not harvested immediately and that flaps are expanded before harvesting. Expanding the supraclavicular flap increases its surface area and decreases donor site morbidity.
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| 215 |
CONTAMINATION OF BURN WOUNDS BY ACHROMOBACTER XYLOSOXIDANS FOLLOWED BY SEVERE INFECTION: 10-YEAR ANALYSIS OF A BURN UNIT POPULATION
(Schulz A., Perbix W., Fuchs P.C., Seyhan H., Schiefer J.L. - Germany)
Gram-negative infections predominate in burn surgery. Until recently, Achromobacter species were described as sepsis-causing bacteria in immunocompromised patients only. Severe infections associated with Achromobacter species in burn patients have been rarely reported. We retrospectively analyzed all burn patients in our database, who were treated at the Intensive Care Burn Unit (ICBU) of the Cologne Merheim Burn Centre from January 2006 to December 2015, focusing on contamination and infection by Achromobacter species.We identified 20 patients with burns contaminated by Achromobacter species within the 10-year study period. Four of these patients showed signs of infection concomitant with detection of Achromobacter species. Despite receiving complex antibiotic therapy based on antibiogram and resistogram typing, 3 of these patients, who had extensive burns, developed severe sepsis. Two patients ultimately died of multiple organ failure. In 1 case, Achromobacter xylosoxidans was the only isolate detected from the swabs and blood samples taken during the last stage of sepsis. Achromobacter xylosoxidans contamination of wounds of severely burned immunocompromised patients can lead to systemic lethal infection. Close monitoring of burn wounds for contamination by Achromobacter xylosoxidans is essential, and appropriate therapy must be administered as soon as possible.
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| 223 |
ASSESSING BURN DEPTH IN TATTOOED BURN LESIONS WITH LASCA IMAGING
(Krezdorn N., Limbourg A., Paprottka F.J., Könneker S., Ipaktchi R., Vogt P.M. - Germany)
Tattoos are on the rise, and so are patients with tattooed burn lesions. A proper assessment with regard to burn depth is often impeded by the tattoo dye. Laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) is a technique that evaluates burn lesions via relative perfusion analysis. We assessed the effect of tattoo skin pigmentation on LASCA perfusion imaging in a multicolour tattooed patient. Depth of burn lesions in multi-coloured tattooed and untattooed skin was assessed using LASCA. Relative perfusion was measured in perfusion units (PU) and compared to various pigment colours, then correlated with the clinical evaluation of the lesion. Superficial partial thickness burn (SPTB) lesions showed significantly elevated perfusion units (PU) compared to normal skin; deep partial thickness burns showed decreased PU levels. PU of various tattoo pigments to normal skin showed either significantly lower values (blue, red, pink) or significantly increased values (black) whereas orange and yellow pigment showed values comparable to normal skin. In SPTB, black and blue pigment showed reduced perfusion; yellow pigment was similar to normal SPTB burn. Deep partial thickness burn (DPTB) lesions in tattoos did not show significant differences to normal DPTB lesions for black, green and red. Tattoo pigments alter the results of perfusion patterns assessed with LASCA both in normal and burned skin. Yellow pigments do not seem to interfere with LASCA assessment. However proper determination of burn depth both in SPTB and DPTB by LASCA is limited by the heterogenic alterations of the various pigment colours.
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| 228 |
TREATMENT OF AN ACUTE DEEP HAND BURN IN A LOW-INCOME COUNTRY WITH NO AVAILABLE MICROSURGERY: A CASE REPORT
(Amouzou K.S., El Harti A., Kouevi-Koko T.E., Abalo A., Dossim A. - Togo)
Deep hand burns usually lead to joint and tendon exposure. A simple skin graft is insufficient to achieve healing. Soft tissue reconstruction represents a surgical challenge that ranges from the simplest to the most complex flaps. In some areas, microsurgery is not technically possible. Choice is then limited to pedicled distant flaps such as the abdominal wall flap-graft. We report a case of an acute burned hand with exposure of metacarpophalangeal joints from the second to the fourth radius as well as proximal inter phalangeal joints from the second to the fifth radius and extensor tendons, treated in the burns and wound care unit of the Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital in Lomé. The dorsum hand and fingers were covered with a pedicled abdominal flap-graft that was severed in two stages at 22 and 29 days. We achieved good results (sensitivity S3+, useful aesthetic hand) at two-year follow up.
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| 231 |
CASE REPORT: EXTENSIVE BURN INJURY CAUSED BY FUNDAMENTAL ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE DESIGN FLAW
(Bohr S., Almarzouqi F., Pallua N. - Germany)
Currently, electronic cigarette (EC) devices are widely used as an alternative to conventional smoking. The underlying technical principle is an electric coil-based vaporizer unit, which vaporizes various solutions for inhalation purposes with a rechargeable lithium battery unit as power source. We report a case of extensive burn injury resulting from the thermal explosion of a battery unit within an EC device. Though internal thermal instabilities of lithium ion batteries are a known safety issue, the unique feature here is a pronounced amplification of the extent of burn injury due to an additional scalding burn mechanism that resulted from heating of the liquid reservoir adjacent to the battery. Thus, we demonstrate a relevant design flaw in various EC devices, which in the authors' opinion needs to be addressed both by manufacturers and safety regulations.
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