An eighteen-year review of intensive care requirements for paediatric burns in a regional burns service.

INTRODUCTION: Advances in burns management have reduced mortality. Consequently, efficient resource management plays an increasingly important role in improving paediatric burns care. This study aims to assess the support requirements and outcomes of paediatric burns patients admitted to a burns centre intensive care unit in comparison to established benchmarks in burns care. METHOD: A retrospective review of burns patients under the age of 16 years old, admitted to a regional burns service intensive care unit between March 1998 and March 2016 was conducted. RESULTS: Our analysis included 234 patients, with the percentage of TBSA affected by burn injury ranging from 1.5% to 95.0%. The median (IQR) %TBSA was 20.0% (11.0-30.0), and the observed mortality rate was 2.6% (6/234). The median (IQR) length of stay was 0.7 days/%TBSA burn (0.4-1.2), 17.9% (41/229) required circulatory support and 2.6% (6/234) required renal replacement. Mortality correlated with smoke inhalation injury (P < 0.001), %TBSA burn (P = 0.049) and complications (P = 0.004) including infections (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Among children with burn injuries who require intensive care, the presence of inhalational injury and the diagnosis of infection are positively correlated with mortality. Understanding the requirements for organ support can facilitate a more effective allocation of resources within a burns service.

Abdominal compartment syndrome in burns patients: Introduction of an evidence-based management guideline and algorithm.

ABSTRACT: Abdominal compartment syndrome is a serious potential complication of burn injury, and carries high morbidity and mortality. Although there are generalised published guidelines on managing the condition, to date no management algorithm has yet been published tailored specifically to the burn injury patient. We set out to examine the literature on the subject in order to produce an evidence based management guideline, with the aim of improving outcomes for these patients. The guideline covers early detection and assessment of the condition as well as optimum medical, surgical and postoperative management. We believe that this guideline provides a much needed benchmark for managing burns patients with raised intra-abdominal pressure, as well as providing a template for further research and improvements in care.

Trunkoplasty after massive weight loss - a case series with a one-stage body contouring procedure for the NHS patient.

Body contouring post massive weight loss (MWL) is a considerable task and is often a functional rather than esthetic operation. Clinicians are often encouraged to solve multiple issues in a single setting that can be difficult in the MWL patient. A simple abdominoplasty often does not provide a satisfactory outcome in such patients and may result in disharmony of the esthetic unit of the trunk. Trunkoplasty is a technique that combines a fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty and reverse abdominoplasty. This is a one-stage operation to address the extra skin of the whole trunk esthetic unit. The average operation time was 4 h with a 3-surgeon team. No blood transfusions were required. There were 3 out of 15 patients with wound-related problems and no incidence of postoperative hematomas. There were no returns to theaters. Seromas formed were not symptomatic and no interventions were required. The average inpatient stay was 6.9 days and a return to work after 4 weeks. It can improve abdominal contour, define the waist, and improve mons ptosis in one stage without any change in position. This procedure has some specific advantages (accommodates preexisting abdominal scars), but also has shortcomings as compared to "standard" circumferential body contouring.

Dorsal Metatarsal Artery Perforator (DMtAP) flap Reconstruction of the Foot - A Review.

The dorsal metatarsal artery perforator (DMtAP) flap is a relatively new flap in the reconstructive armamentarium. Our understanding has only recently increased with data from cadaveric dissections, which have increased our understanding of the DMtAP system of the forefoot. Sporadic reports in the literature have been published regarding its various uses for defects around the forefoot. This review aims to summarize the reports and results thus far in the literature and bring together the anatomical evidence of DMtAPs in the forefoot. We also demonstrate our experience in raising a DMtAP flap and its potential use for reconstruction of the forefoot after skin cancer surgery. This is a versatile and reliable flap.

A prospective study comparing the FLIR ONE with laser Doppler imaging in the assessment of burn depth by a tertiary burns unit in the United Kingdom.

INTRODUCTION: Laser Doppler imaging (LDI) is the 'gold standard' tool for the assessment of burn depth. However, it is costly. The FLIR ONE is a novel, mobile-attached, thermal imaging camera used to assess burn wound temperature. This study compares the FLIR ONE and LDI in assessing burn depth and predicting healing times. METHODS: Forty-five adult patients with burn wounds, presenting at 1-5 days, were imaged with the FLIR ONE and LDI. Infected, chemical and electrical burns were excluded. Healing potential was determined by comparing wound and normal skin temperature for the FLIR ONE and blood flow changes with the LDI. Healing potential was categorised into wounds healing in less than and over 21 days. Pearson's test was used to determine the correlation between changes in wound temperature and healing potential. RESULTS: Percent total body surface area (%TBSA) was in the range of 0.5-45. FLIR demonstrated a sensitivity of 66.67% and specificity of 76.67% in predicting healing within 21 days, while LDI demonstrated a sensitivity of 93.33% and specificity of 40%. The FLIR ONE showed a significant difference in the mean temperature changes between burns that healed in less than (0.1933 ± 0.3554) and over 21 days (-1 ± 0.4329) (P = 0.04904). Pearson's test showed a significant correlation between the difference in wound and normal skin temperature with healing times (P = 0.04517). CONCLUSION: The inexpensive FLIR ONE shows a significant correlation between changes in wound temperature and healing times. It is useful in predicting healing within 21 days. However, evaporative cooling at the wound surface can lead to overprediction of healing times and overtreatment. LAY SUMMARY: Background Laser Doppler imaging is currently the main tool for burn depth assessment. It works by analysing the blood flow in a burn wound. Based on these findings, it can predict the depth of the burn injury and predict if it will heal in less than or over 21 days. The main problem is that it is costly. The FLIR ONE is a novel, mobile-attached, thermal imaging camera. It can be used to assess burn depth by comparing the temperature of the burn wound to the surrounding normal skin. This information can then be used to predict healing times into less than and over 21 days. The issue being explored The usefulness of the FLIR ONE in assessing burn depth and predicting healing time when compared to the LDI. How was the work conducted? Forty-five adult patients who sustained a burn injury within the last five days were imaged with both the FLIR ONE and LDI. Those with infected, electrical or chemical burns were excluded. Healing potential was determined by comparing the temperature of the burn wound with normal skin for the FLIR ONE and by changes in wound blood flow with the LDI. Healing potential was categorised into wounds healing in less than and over 21 days. The correlation between the temperature changes of the burn wound and healing time was evaluated for the FLIR ONE. What we learned from the study This study was able to demonstrate that the FLIR ONE showed a significant correlation between the temperature difference between the burn wound and normal skin with healing times. When compared with the LDI, the FLIR ONE was useful in predicting if a burn wound will heal in less than 21 days. The FLIR ONE has advantages over the LDI, it is low cost, portable and produces instantaneous images. Ultimately, this developing technology may increase access to higher standard burn care in centres where LDI is not affordable.

Pedicled Supraclavicular Flap for Neck Defect Reconstruction in Poland Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: The most accepted pathogenesis for Poland syndrome is the subclavian artery supply disruption sequence during embryonic growth. The result is associated with a constellation of abnormalities of structures supplied by the subclavian artery. We present a case of a neck defect reconstructed with a fasciocutaneous supraclavicular flap in a patient with Poland syndrome with the absence of a pectoralis major muscle. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of the supraclavicular flap in patients with Poland syndrome. METHODS: An 80-year-old patient with a 14-mm-Breslow-thickness melanoma had undergone a 3-cm-wide local excision of the scar on his right neck and reconstruction with a pedicled supraclavicular flap despite him having Poland syndrome on the same side. RESULTS: The flap was well perfused, and the patient was discharged at postoperative day 5. Complete healing of the flap was observed without any flap loss. CONCLUSION: The supraclavicular fasciocutaneous flap is a versatile and useful pedicled flap reconstruction for head and neck defects. It is possible in patients with Poland syndrome as shown, and the pedicle should be checked with preoperative Doppler and an exploratory incision before completely raising it.

Venous Congestion in Pedicled Frontal Branch Superficial Temporal Artery Flaps Reconstructions for Head and Neck Defects: A Review.

The superficial temporal artery (STA) flap is a versatile flap for head and neck defect reconstruction. It can be based on the frontal branch of the STA and an islanded 360-degree rotation arc for various defects on the scalp, cheek, and auricular region. It provides a nonmicrosurgical option for reconstructing such defects, which is itself relatively easy to perform. However, venous congestion is a problem than often can cause worry to the clinician and hence preclude its use. In this review, we revisit this flap in head and neck reconstruction, with case examples used for reconstruction of defects on the scalp, maxilla, lip, ear, and retroauricular area. The STA flap in our review can be used either as a fasciocutaneous flap or with its fascia alone. The main issue with the STA flap is that it is generally a high-inflow flap with variable outflow. Venous congestion is frequently encountered in our practice, and adequate management of the venous drainage in the postoperative period is crucial in ensuring its success as a versatile and viable option for head and neck reconstruction.

Serial abdominal closure with Gore-tex mesh and Rives-Stoppa for an open abdomen secondary to intra-abdominal hypertension in burns.

Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) leading to abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) commonly occurs in major burns. To relieve the excess pressure, decompressive laparotomy is done which can lead to an open abdomen. Closure of the abdomen after a decompressive laparotomy is very difficult with bowel oedema. We describe our technique of closing the open abdomen in such situations with a combination of serial abdominal wall closure with a layered mesh and the Rives-Stoppa component separation technique.

Relationship between multidisciplinary critical care and burn patients survival: A propensity-matched national cohort analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are: firstly, to investigate if admission to specialized burn critical care units leads to better clinical outcomes; secondly, to elucidate if the multidisciplinary critical care contributes to this superior outcome. METHODS: A multi-centre cohort analysis of a prospectively collected national database of 1759 adult burn patients admitted to 13 critical care units in England and Wales between 2005 and 2011. Units were contacted via telephone to establish frequency and constitution of daily ward rounds. Critical care units were categorized into 3 settings: specialized burns critical care units, generalized critical care units and 'visiting' critical care units. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and propensity dose-response analysis were used to calculate risk adjusted mortality. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis shows that admission to a specialized burn critical care service is independently associated with significant survival benefit compared to generalized critical care unit (adjusted OR for in-hospital death 1.81, [95% CI, 1.24, 2.66]) and 'visiting' critical care services (adjusted OR for in-hospital death 2.24 [95% CI, 1.49, 3.38]). Further analysis using propensity dose-response analysis demonstrates that risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality rate decreased as the dose of multidisciplinary care increased, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1 (specialized burn critical care units), 1.81 (generalized critical care units) and 2.24 ('visiting' critical care units). CONCLUSIONS: Admission to a specialized burn critical care service is independently associated with significant survival benefit. This is, at least in part, due to care being provided by a fully integrated multidisciplinary team.

Bubble bath burns: an unusual case.

We present an unusual case of flash burn injury in an adolescent following accidental combination of foaming bath bubbles and tea light candle flame. There has not been any reported similar case described before. This serves as a learning point for public prevention and clinicians managing burn injuries.

Smoke inhalation increases intensive care requirements and morbidity in paediatric burns.

Burn survival has improved with advancements in fluid resuscitation, surgical wound management, wound dressings, access to antibiotics and nutritional support for burn patients. Despite these advancements, the presence of smoke inhalation injury in addition to a cutaneous burn still significantly increases morbidity and mortality. The pathophysiology of smoke inhalation has been well studied in animal models. Translation of this knowledge into effectiveness of clinical management and correlation with patient outcomes including the paediatric population, is still limited. We retrospectively reviewed our experience of 13 years of paediatric burns admitted to a regional burn's intensive care unit. We compared critical care requirements and patient outcomes between those with cutaneous burns only and those with concurrent smoke inhalation injury. Smoke inhalation increases critical care requirements and mortality in the paediatric burn population. Therefore, early critical care input in the management of these patients is advised.

Microvascular free tissue transfer in acute and secondary burn reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: The mainstay of operative treatment in burns is split skin grafting with free tissue transfer being indicated in a minority of cases. However, free tissue transfer faces a number of challenges in the burns patient. These include; overall cardiovascular and respiratory stability of the patient, availability of suitable vessels for anastomosis, sufficient debridement of devitalised tissue and a potentially increased risk of infection. We carried out a retrospective study in order to determine the indications, timing, principles of flap selection, complications, outcomes and methods of promoting flap survival when free tissue transfer was utilised for burn reconstruction in our unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent soft tissue reconstruction for burn injuries with microvascular free tissue transfer between May 2002 and September 2014 were identified from our burns database. The records of these patients were then retrospectively reviewed. Data extracted included, age, gender, type of injury, total body surface area involved, indications for free tissue transfer, anatomical location, timing of reconstruction, complications and flap survival. RESULTS: Out of a total of 8776 patients admitted for operative treatment over a 12-year period, 23 patients required 26 free flaps for reconstruction. Out of 26 free flaps, 23 were utilised for acute burn reconstruction while only 3 free flaps were utilised for secondary burn reconstruction. All 26 free flaps survived regardless of timing or burn injury mechanism. Complications included haematomas in 2 flaps and tip necrosis in 4 flaps. Two flaps required debridement and drainage of pus, 1 flap required redo of the venous anastomosis while 1 required redo of the arterial anastomosis with a vein graft. CONCLUSIONS: Free tissue transfer has a small but definite role within acute and secondary burn reconstruction surgery. Despite the complexity of the burn defects involved, free flaps appear to have a high success rate within this cohort of patients. This appears to be the case as long as the appropriate patient and flap is selected, care is taken to debride all devitalised tissue and due diligence paid to the vascular anastomosis by performing it away from the zone of injury.

Burns ITU admissions: length of stay in specific levels of care for adult and paediatric patients.

Prediction of total length of stay (LOS) for burns patients based on the total burn surface area (TBSA) is well accepted. Total LOS is a poor measure of resource consumption. Our aim was to determine the LOS in specific levels of care to better inform resource allocation. We performed a retrospective review of LOS in intensive treatment unit (ITU), burns high dependency unit (HDU) and burns low dependency unit (LDU) for all patients requiring ITU admission in a regional burns service from 2003 to 2011. During this period, our unit has admitted 1312 paediatric and 1445 adult patients to our Burns ITU. In both groups, ITU comprised 20% of the total LOS (mean 0.23±0.02 [adult] and 0.22±0.02 [paediatric] days per %burn). In adults, 33% of LOS was in HDU (0.52±0.06 days per %burn) and 48% (0.68±0.06 days per %burn) in LDU, while in children, 15% of LOS was in HDU (0.19±0.03 days per %burn) and 65% in LDU (0.70±0.06 days per %burn). When considering Burns ITU admissions, resource allocation ought to be planned according to expected LOS in specific levels of care rather than total LOS. The largest proportion of stay is in low dependency, likely due to social issues.

A systematic review of the applications of free tissue transfer in burns.

INTRODUCTION: Free tissue transfer is a rarely indicated procedure in burns. However, in well selected cases it may play a pivotal role in optimizing outcomes in both primary and secondary burn reconstruction. We undertook a systematic review, based on the PRISMA statement for systematic reviews, of all published literature relating to the use of free flaps in acute burns and in secondary reconstructive procedures. METHODS: Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined and Medline, Embase, PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched from 1980 onwards to May 2013 with the search terms: "free flaps", "free tissue transfer", "microvascular", "burns", "acute burns", "primary reconstruction" and "secondary reconstruction". RESULTS: A total of 346 studies were retrieved following the search of which 30 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. DISCUSSION: We present the indications, timing, complications and failure rates for free flaps in primary and secondary reconstruction based on the available literature. We also provide a list of the various free flap options for the commonest sites undergoing reconstruction following burns. Finally an algorithm to ensure optimal success of free flaps when used in primary and in secondary burn reconstruction is presented.

Management of a full-thickness burn to the foot following sciatic nerve palsy secondary to primary total hip replacement.

Sciatic nerve palsy following total hip replacement is a rare but serious complication. The neurological sequelae that follow range from pure sensory loss to combined motor and sensory loss involving most of the lower limb. The loss of nociceptive feedback predisposes patients to accidental damage to the lower limb. We present the case of a lady with sciatic nerve palsy who sustained full-thickness burn injuries to her foot via a hot water bottle. The dilemma between debridement and grafting following a recent history of surgical trauma (ie, total hip replacement) versus secondary healing via dressings and regular review is discussed. Although grafting is the standard treatment in such burns, we recommend secondary healing over grafting provided the burns are not extensive. This enables potential recovery of sensation and reduces operative trauma to the limb which may retard resolution of the neuropraxia.

Burn injuries resulting from hot water bottle use: a retrospective review of cases presenting to a regional burns unit in the United kingdom.

Introduction. Hot water bottles are commonly used to relieve pain and for warmth during the colder months of the year. However, they pose a risk of serious burn injuries. The aim of this study is to retrospectively review all burn injuries caused by hot water bottles presenting to our regional burns unit. Methods. Patients with burns injuries resulting from hot water bottle use were identified from our burns database between the periods of January 2004 and March 2013 and their cases notes reviewed retrospectively. Results. Identified cases involved 39 children (aged 17 years or younger) and 46 adults (aged 18 years or older). The majority of burns were scald injuries. The mean %TBSA was 3.07% (SD ± 3.40). Seven patients (8.24%) required debridement and skin grafting while 3 (3.60%) required debridement and application of Biobrane. One patient (1.18%) required local flap reconstruction. Spontaneous rupture accounted for 48.20% of injuries while accidental spilling and contact accounted for 33% and 18.80% of injuries, respectively. The mean time to heal was 28.87 days (SD ± 21.60). Conclusions. This study highlights the typical distribution of hot water bottle burns and the high rate of spontaneous rupture of hot water bottles, which have the potential for significant burn injuries.