Journal of Burn Care & Research : Official Publication of the American Burn Association

Autologous skin cell suspension (ASCS) is an adjunct to conventional split-thickness skin grafts (STSG) for acute burns, enhancing healing and reducing donor site requirements. This study validates ASCS's predictive benefits in hospital stay reduction and cost savings by analyzing outcomes and real-world charges post-ASCS implementation at a single institution. A retrospective study (2018-2022) included burn patients with ≥10% TBSA. The study population comprised two groups: burns treated either with a combination of ASCS ± STSG or with STSG alone...

Finding a perfect epidermal transplant remains a holy grail of burn surgery. The epidermis is a site of stem cells that allows for the epithelial regeneration. The use of CEA for the treatment of major burns was first reported in 1981. CEA requires specialized skills; thus, reports from different burn-centers have shown mixed results. Comparing our modern data with past data shows how this field has advanced while maintaining institutional control. We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients admitted between 01/01/1988-12/31/2021 for massive burns that were managed with CEA...

Burn reconstruction outcomes are an area of growing investigation. Although there is evidence of measured physical improvements in scar characteristics after laser treatment, there is little information on patient reported outcomes. The purpose of this study is to compare patient reported outcomes between burn survivors with and without laser treatment. The study included participants in the Burn Model Systems National Database at a single center; participants that received outpatient laser treatment for burn scars were compared to a matched group of burn survivors that did not receive laser...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

This study examines a rare case of frostbite on the hands caused by liquid nitrogen, focusing on the scar maturation process. Frostbite is typically less prone to abnormal scarring compared to burns, and this report contrasts the differences in scar maturation between the two. A 31-year-old male hospital employee sustained first- to second-degree frostbite on his gloved hands from a 20-second exposure to liquid nitrogen while changing a cylinder. Conservative treatment was applied, and the patient was monitored for 9 months...

Gel fuels, composed of flammable substances like ethanol and methanol, are commonly used for heating in various settings. Despite their convenience, improper handling can lead to severe burn injuries. This study examines the characteristics of gel fuels, particularly focusing on the "napalm effect" where the fuel continues to burn on surfaces it adheres to. A review of gel fuel burn literature was conducted, along with an analysis of two recent cases admitted to a burn unit. Gel fuel burns, though rare, can result in deep and extensive injuries, especially affecting the hands, face, and upper body...

Appropriate identification of burn depth and size is paramount. Despite the development of burn depth assessment aids [e.g., laser doppler imaging (LDI)], clinical assessment, which assesses partial thickness burn depth with 67% accuracy, currently remains the most consistent standard of practice. We sought to develop an image-based artificial intelligence system that predicts burn severity and wound margins for use as a triaging tool in thermal injury management. Modified EfficientNet architecture trained by 1684 mobile-device-captured images of different burn depths were previously utilized to create a convoluted neural network (CNN)...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Mucormycosis is an uncommon infection but is increasing in prevalence. Cutaneous disease is associated with burns and traumatic injuries. Cutaneous mucormycosis is the least deadly form but mortality is still approximately 36%. Burn superinfection with mucormycosis is increasingly common and can be an insidious process which may not present until disease disseminates. We present the case of a 30-year-old male who presented to the Emergency Department for rash. A rash with yellow crusting was noted to involve his scalp, face, ear, R shoulder, and parts of both feet...

Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic that requires close therapeutic monitoring. Prolonged exposure to elevated concentrations increases risk for serious adverse effects such as nephrotoxicity. However, sub-therapeutic concentrations may lead to bacterial resistance and clinical failure or death. The most recent Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) publication regarding therapeutic monitoring of vancomycin recommends utilizing area under the curve (AUC)-based monitoring to maximize clinical success...

Despite the growing incidence of burn injuries globally and the advancements in physical recovery, the psychological aspect of burn trauma recovery remains inadequately addressed. This review aims to consolidate existing literature posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in adult burn survivors, recognizing the need for a holistic approach to burn recovery that encompasses both physical and mental health. The comprehensive analysis of 156 studies revealed significant variations in methodological approaches, leading to challenges in creating standardized protocols for mental health assessment in burn care...

Seasons have a major impact on the frequency and characteristics of burn injuries; in warmer months, thermal burns from outdoor activities are more common, while in cooler months, incidents involving heating sources and fires are more common. It is essential to comprehend these trends in order to customise safety precautions and awareness initiatives. Studies on the impact of seasonal variations help burn centres allocate resources more effectively in order to prepare for variations in patient volume and severity...

Scars are common and debilitating outcomes of burn injury, with no current consensus regarding the gold standard in scar management. Non-invasive interventions such as silicone gels are popular adjuvant treatments due to ease of application. Onion extract (OE) has been proposed as a potential scar treatment modality due to its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. A systematic search of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane for articles published between January 2000 and December 2021...

Burn injuries are among the most common life-threatening injuries for which medical attention is sought, and are accompanied by intense, severe pain, particularly during treatment. Burn therapy pain management with opioid and non-opioid analgesics is often insufficient when administered alone. Virtual reality (VR) interfaces provide an immersive experience that has demonstrable therapeutic benefits, including distraction from, and reduction of, pain. In this interventional pilot study, we assessed the correlation between VR and passive distraction and pain tolerance during burn wound treatment...

Burn injuries related to Lithium-Ion batteries from personal mobility devices, such as electric bikes and electric scooters, have emerged as a global concern. By examining the literature, this study aims to provide an overview of the demographics, patterns and outcomes of personal mobility device-associated burns. A Singaporean cohort revealed burns resulting predominantly from fires occurring due to the combustion of unattended personal mobility device batteries during charging. In contrast, an Israeli cohort showed a higher TBSA and highlighted the vulnerability of limbs to burn injuries in such incidents...

Discharge to acute rehabilitation following major burn injury is crucial for patient recovery and quality of life. However, barriers to acute rehabilitation, including race and payor type impede access. The effect of burn center organizational structure on discharge disparities remains unknown. This study aims to investigate associations between patient demographics, burn center factors, and discharge to acute rehabilitation on a population level. Using the California Healthcare Access and Information Database, 2009-2019, all inpatient encounters at verified and non-verified burn centers were extracted...

The objective of this research is to investigate the epidemiological features of electrical injuries in Shaanxi Province, China, examine their prognosis, and ascertain the factors that impact the outcomes. Telephone follow-ups were conducted with electrical injury patients at our hospital between 2011 and 2021, yielding the following results: Most electrical injuries occur in males (94.3%) and younger or middle-aged individuals. The most common voltages involved are 220V and 380V. Since 2016, there has been a 20...

Pediatric burn injuries are a leading cause of morbidity with infections being the most common acute complication. Thermal injuries elicit a heightened cytokine response while suppressing immune function; however, the mechanisms leading to this dysfunction are still unknown. Our aim was to identify extracellular proteins and circulating phosphoprotein expression in the plasma after burn injury to predict the development of nosocomial infection (NI). Plasma was collected within 72 hours after injury from sixty-four pediatric burn subjects; of these, eighteen went on to develop a NI...

Burn trauma is one of the most common causes of inpatient treatment in children and is associated with severe physical and psychological consequences. Synthetic skin substitutes are designed to reduce the risk of infection, minimize wound pain, and reduce the frequency of dressing changes. However, data regarding premature detachment of these materials is scarce. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with early detachment and subsequent consequences for surgical treatment. A retrospective analysis of 392 children with superficial and deep partial thickness burns undergoing inpatient treatment with application of a skin substitute (Suprathel®) was performed...

Adequate and effective pain management and prevention of depression are essential in burn patients. This study aims to explore the effects of ketamine sedation in burn patients in terms of mood disorders, depression, anxiety, and suicidality during postoperative follow-up in the intensive care unit. This study targeted subjects aged 18 to 65 years, in the ASA I-II class, with basic communication skills, no history of diagnosed mental illness, and no history of neuropsychiatric or cognitive disorders or related treatment...