This retrospective descriptive epidemiological study aimed to investigate the incidence of burns during the cold season compared to other times of the year and to identify associated risk factors and clinical characteristics among hospitalized patients. A total of 402 medical records of patients admitted to the burn unit at the Department of Surgery, Udon Thani Hospital, between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2024, were reviewed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic characteristics and incidence. Comparisons be- tween the cold season and other seasons were conducted, and associations between risk factors and clinical outcomes were tested using the Chi-square test. The incidence of burns increased over the three-year period. Incidence during the cold season was 1.65 times higher than in other seasons (OR=1.65). Most patients were elderly females, and the majority of burns occurred due to domestic accidents. Adults were significantly more likely to sustain severe burns than other age groups (χ²=28.45, df=15, p=0.019). Complications were significantly associated with burn severity (χ²=45.78, df=3, p<0.001) and treatment costs (χ²=89.34, df=2, p<0.001). These findings indicate a higher burden of burn injuries during the winter, particularly among the elderly and women. Targeted prevention efforts, such as public safety education and improved first-aid training, are needed. Enhancing treatment protocols and referral systems could further reduce complications and the economic impact of burn injuries.

Burn injuries remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly among patients requiring intensive care. This retrospective study analyzed 66 burn patients admitted to the Burn ICU at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Indonesia, from January 2023 to December 2024, aiming to identify the primary causes of death, including sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), renal failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, and inhalation injury. The cohort had a mean age of 40.8 years, with a predominance of male patients (65.2%). The average total body surface area (TBSA) burned was 51.1%, and half of the patients sustained full-thickness burns. Inhalation injuries were present in 48.5% of cases. Sepsis emerged as the most common complication (83.1%), followed by ARDS (40.0%) and kidney failure (15.4%). Surgical interventions were performed in 69.7% of patients, with early tangential excision conducted in over half. Despite these efforts, the mortality rate remained high at 69.2%, and the mean abbreviated burn severity index (ABSI) score was 9.58. These findings highlight the critical burden of sepsis in burn-related deaths and underscore the need for enhanced infection control, early surgical management, and comprehensive ICU protocols to improve outcomes in this high-risk population.

Burns are a major life altering event affecting the physical well-being of an individual and often resulting in emotional distress amongst the victims. We sought to explore the complex dynamics be- tween social support and adult burn victims, aiming to verify an association between them and explore factors associated with self-esteem and factors predictive of self-esteem. We conducted a retrospective cross- sectional correlational predictive study in the Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery and in the Burns Unit of Habib Bourguiba University Hospital in Sfax between January 2012 to December 2022. Thirty-three patients were included. Their mean age was 37.88 years (range: 19-55 years) with a male predominance (sex ratio=1.576/1). The average self-esteem score was 29.45±4.36, with 51.5% of patients showing low self-esteem. 48.5% of patients received significant social support, primarily from family (63.6%). Low self-esteem seems to be a major hurdle in the path to emotional wellbeing for burn survivors and should be a focal point in medical care.

Indonesia, a country with a high incidence and burden of burn injuries, still faces limited numbers and uneven distribution of burn units, as well as the absence of operational guidelines. This review analyzes global burn unit operational systems to identify best practices that can be adapted for the development and optimization of burn units in Indonesia. A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, Sage Journals, and MEDLINE. Inclusion criteria comprised studies focusing on managerial aspects of burn units. Literature search was done according to PRISMA guidelines, and included studies were critically appraised. Following screening and eligibility assessment of 1,046 studies, 20 studies were included in the review. A total of 6 guidelines provided recommendations for burn unit operational systems, and 13 studies offered recommendations for developing burn unit operational systems that could be implemented in Indonesia. Indonesia can adopt approaches from international guidelines to establish more burn units in priority areas based on needs, with operational design guidelines aligned with global standards to enhance the quality of care nationwide. Analysis of global burn unit operational systems successfully identified guidelines and recommendations for the development and management of burn units in Indonesia.

Les bactériémies à entérocoques sont essentiellement nosocomiales et sont souvent associées à une lourde morbi-mortalité. Une étude pronostique, observationnelle, monocentrique et rétrospective a été menée dans le service de réanimation des brûlés de Tunisie sur une période de 4 ans (janvier 2020-décembre 2023). Les patients brûlés ayant présenté au moins une bactériémie à Enterococcus Spp ont été inclus. Parmi 1 566 patients admis, 102 ont présenté une bactériémie à Enterococcus Spp (soit une incidence de 7,3%) dont 88 patients ont été retenus. Centquatre bactériémies à entérocoques ont été observées. L’espèce la plus fréquente était E. fæcium (58,7%). Vingtquatre pour cent des souches étaient résistantes à la teicoplanine et 28,8% à la vancomycine. Aucune résistance à la tigécycline ni au linézolide n’a été notée. Le délai médian de survenue de la bactériémie était de 7 jours, et était compliquée d’un état de choc septique dans 40,4% des cas. Il s’agissait d’une bactériémie primitive dans 96% des cas et polymicrobienne dans 78,8% des cas. La durée médiane de séjour de nos patients était de 22 jours. La mortalité était de 55,7%. Les facteurs indépendants associés à la mortalité par bactériémie à entérocoques étaient : la survenue de SDRA, d’une insuffisance rénale aiguë, d’une infection fongique et la résistance de l’entérocoque à la vancomycine.

Management of burn wounds is challenging. Dressing changes, especially in paediatric burn patients, are a major concern. To address these challenges, numerous methods and advanced dressing materials have been developed. Collagen, a biocompatible material easily derived from natural sources, has emerged as a promising option. The primary goals are early wound healing, reduced pain sensitivity, and fewer dressing changes in the paediatric population. A prospective observational study was conducted among 38 paediatric patients, under 12 years of age, with scald burns. The study was conducted from 1st January 2024 to the end of October 2024. When a patient was admitted with scald burn, the wound was cleaned with normal saline and collagen materials were applied over the wound. This was followed by paraffin impregnated gauze and dry dressing. The first dressing was opened on day 5 and followed by dressing every 3 to 4 days until the wound healed. Thirty-three out of 38 patients (87%) were discharged within 12 days. Infection was found in 5 patients. No adverse reaction due to the application of collagen was observed. Collagen-based dressing is an important dynamic for burn wound management. Frequent change of dressing is avoided, with a significant impact on pain and psychological trauma among the paediatric population.

Burn sequelae of the popliteal fossa cause significant functional impairment, with aesthetic and psychological consequences. Flexion contractures are the most frequent, and several therapeutic classifications exist; however, the clinical heterogeneity of these sequelae makes it difficult to establish a consensus. A retrospective study (January 2014 to January 2022) included 20 patients who underwent surgical treatment for major burn sequelae of the popliteal fossa. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Ogawa and Pribaz, and Baux and Mimoun classifications. The median age was 15.5 years, with a male predominance (sex ratio=1.5). Sixty percent of patients were from rural areas, and 55% received initial non-specialized management. Skin contractures were present in 90% of cases, with a severe knee extension deficit in 89%. Reconstruction involved local techniques such as Z-plasties (40%) and locoregional flaps (pedicled transposition or perforator flaps; 45%). These two categories were analyzed separately due to their distinct anatomical and technical considerations. Final functional outcomes were considered good to excellent in 80% of cases after a median follow-up of 1.15 years. Children are particularly susceptible to popliteal fossa burn sequelae, with a risk of recurrence. The quality of initial management influences the severity of sequelae. Surgical intervention is indicated in the presence of ulceration or significant functional impairment. Local flaps demonstrated good results with fewer recurrences. The main limitations of this study include the small sample size, its retrospective nature, and limited follow-up. A management algorithm for retractile sequelae has been proposed and requires prospective validation.

Burn injuries in elderly patients often present complex clinical and psychological challenges, especially when compounded by functional decline, emotional vulnerability, and spiritual distress. This case series illustrated a holistic psychotherapeutic approach implemented in a consultation-liaison psychiatry (CLP) setting for three elderly burn patients, each with unique psychological and spiritual needs. Interventions included supportive psychotherapy to address anxiety and mood disturbances, involvement of family members to enhance emotional security and reduce treatment resistance, spiritual facilitation aligned with patients’ religious values, and cognitive reorientation techniques to manage episodes of acute confusion and delirium. These tailored approaches proved effective in improving patients’ emotional adjustment, cooperation with care, and treatment adherence. The integration of psychotherapeutic, familial, and spiritual interventions underscores the importance of culturally sensitive and individualized CLP strategies for elderly burn survivors. However, the findings are limited by the small sample size and the qualitative nature of the data, which may restrict generalizability. Nevertheless, these observations highlight the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in optimizing recovery and psychological well-being among older adults in burn units.

Foot burns involve a small total body surface area but may cause significant functional impairment. Deep thermal foot burns often require surgical excision and split-thickness skin grafting, yet the optimal timing of grafting remains debated. Our objective is to describe patient characteristics, surgical management and healing outcomes of isolated deep thermal dorsal foot burns treated at a single burn centre. We conducted a retrospective cohort study including all patients surgically treated for partial- or full-thickness dorsal thermal foot burns at the Burn Centre of the University Hospital of Lille between 2021 and 2023. Two surgical strategies were used: excision followed by delayed grafting and single-stage excision with immediate grafting. Healing times were analyzed per burned foot. Sixtythree patients (75 feet) were included. Patients treated with delayed grafting were older and more frequently had bilateral foot burns. Burn severity was comparable between groups. Post-operative healing time was significantly shorter after single-stage excision and grafting, whereas total healing time from burn injury did not differ significantly. Dermal matrix use was not associated with differences in healing time. In this real-life retrospective cohort, single-stage excision and immediate grafting were associated with faster post-operative healing, while overall healing time remained similar between surgical strategies. Differences between groups reflect clinical decision-making based on patient and wound charac- teristics rather than a protocol-driven approach.