Anti factor Xa monitoring for venous thromboprophylaxis in severely burn-injured patients: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with severe burn injuries are at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and associated sequelae. Burn-injured patients may require larger doses of VTE prophylaxis so underdosing may occur with standard regimens. Monitoring anti-factor Xa (AFXa) levels may allow tailoring of dosage but is currently uncommon. The purpose of this systematic review was to methodically review the available literature with respect to AFXa in severe burn-injured patients, and thereby assess its efficacy. METHODS: Using PRISMA guidelines, "Xa" and "burns" were used to systematically review MEDLINE (1946 - present) and EMBASE (1974 - present) databases for publications regarding the monitoring of AFXa levels for thromboprophylaxis in burn-injured patients. RESULTS: Eight studies (432 patients) met inclusion. Peak AFXa level at initial measurement was reported in all studies and was within the range for prophylaxis in 184 of 432 cases (42.6%), below range in 246 of 432 cases (56.9%) and above range for 2/432 (0.5%). Complications were reported in 7 studies (412 patients), with a total of 30 (7.3%) complications, comprising of 16 (53.3%) VTE events and 14 (46.7%) mortalities. Three studies comprising 270 patients compared complications between patients who were within the reference range with patients who were below the range. There were 164 patients from the 'within the reference range' groups that had a total of 6 (3.7%) complications, comprised of 4 (66.7%) VTE events and 2 (33.3%) mortalities. There were 106 patients from the 'below reference range group' that had a total of 11 (10.4%) complications, comprised of 9 (81.8%) VTE events and 2 (18.2%) mortalities. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest standard prophylactic anticoagulation dosing risks underdosing and therefore, an increased risk in the development of VTE. AFXa monitoring allows individually tailored dose adjustment to reach therapeutic levels, which may be efficacious in reducing VTE events and is therefore recommended where possible.

The prognostic significance of lymphovascular invasion in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The majority of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCC) have a favourable prognosis. However, a subset of cases follow an aggressive disease course with progression to metastasis and death. Several histopathological parameters are associated with poor outcomes, but lymphovascular invasion (LVI) has not been well studied. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prognostic significance of LVI in cSCC and determine associations between LVI and cSCC. METHODS: A retrospective review of 486 consecutive cases of cSCC over a 5-year period from a single centre was stratified by the presence or absence of LVI. Logistic regression and multivariate survival analysis were used to determine associations of LVI and prognostic significance of LVI, respectively. FINDINGS: LVI was present in 41 cases (9.2%). LVI was significantly associated with increasing depth of invasion, microanatomical tumour location (subcutis vs. dermis), and tumour dimensions (P < 0.05). Univariate survival analysis revealed significantly lower 2-year overall survival rates for patients with LVI (37.1%) compared with those without (66.6%) (95% CI = 60.6-73.3, P < 0.001). LVI was also found to be an independent marker of poor disease-specific survival (HR = 0.232 (95% CI = 0.090-0.600), P = 0.003), poor overall survival (HR 0.338 (95% CI = 0.184-0.623), P < 0.001) and poor disease-free survival (HR 0.461 (95% CI = 0.230-0.923), P = 0.029) through multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that LVI is an independent poor prognosticator in cSCC, with significantly worse survival indices at 2 years. Future systems of risk stratification for cSCC should incorporate LVI.

Temporal trends in burn size estimation and the impact of the NSW Trauma App on estimation accuracy.

BACKGROUND: Several studies demonstrated that burn size calculations by referring clinicians are poor. The purpose of this study was to determine if inaccuracies in burn size estimation have improved with time within the same population, and whether widespread roll-out of a smartphone-based TBSA calculator (in the form of the NSW Trauma App) had an impact on accuracy. METHODS: A review of all burn-injured adult patients transferred to Burn Units from August 2015, following the roll out of the NSW Trauma App, to January 2021 was performed. The TBSA determined by the referring centre was compared with the TBSA calculated by the Burn Unit. This was compared to historical data from the same population between January 2009 and August 2013. RESULTS: There were 767 adult burn-injured patients transferred to a Burn Unit between 2015 and 2021. The median overall TBSA was 7%. There were 290 patients (37.9%) who had equivalent TBSA calculations by the referring hospital and the Burn Unit. This was a significant improvement compared to the preceding time period (P < 0.005). Overestimation by the referring hospital occurred in 364 cases (47.5%), which was significantly reduced compared to 2009 - 2013 (P < 0.001). Unlike the earlier time period where changes in estimation accuracy were seen in relation to increasing time after the burn injury, burn size estimation accuracy remained relatively consistent in the contemporary time period with no significant change observed (P = 0.86). CONCLUSIONS: This cumulative, longitudinal study of nearly 1500 adult burn-injured patients over 13 years demonstrates improvements in burn size estimation by referring clinicians over time. It is the largest cohort of patients analysed with respect to burn size estimation and is the first to demonstrate improvements in accuracy of TBSA in association with a smartphone-based app. Adopting this simple strategy into burn retrieval systems will augment early assessment of these injuries and improve outcomes.

The burn injury transfer feedback form: A 16 year Australian statewide review of burn inter-hospital transfer.

INTRODUCTION: Modern burn care is centralised, and studies show that early, prompt referral to dedicated burn services improve clinical outcomes. We describe the use of a novel clinical instrument, the burn injury Transfer Feedback Form, to support and educate referring clinicians about the early assessment and management of burn injuries. Since 2005, Transfer Feedback Forms have been completed for all burn-injured patients with inter-hospital transfer to a specialised burn unit in the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The aim of this study was to review physiological, procedural, and system or process issues in the care of both adult and paediatric burn-injured patients needing retrieval and transfer in NSW as identified by the Transfer Feedback Form. Secondary objectives were to determine any significant differences in these parameters between metropolitan and regional or remote referring institutions, and if any improvements occurred in these parameters over time. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of all patients who were transferred to a burn unit in NSW between July 2005 and July 2021 using their prospectively completed Transfer Feedback Forms. Patients were divided into metropolitan and non-metropolitan referral sources based on geographic location. Clinical issues or deficiencies identified during each patient transfer were then classified into various groups. To determine if transfer-related clinical concerns had changed with time, two distinct periods before and after 2015, when the NSW Trauma App was introduced, were analysed. We compared trends in frequency of transfer-related concerns before and after App introduction by using interrupted time series analysis. RESULTS: A total of 3233 patients had Feedback Forms submitted during the 16-year period. We included 929 children (28.7%) and 2304 adults (71.3%). Transfer-related clinical issues were identified in 904 adults (39.0%) and 484 children (52.0%). In both adult and paediatric patients, the most common transfer-related clinical deficiency was in relation to burn size estimation with 525 patients (43.7%) and 207 patients (30.6%), respectively. Between the time periods analysed, the number of issues arising during inter-hospital transfer fell significantly for both adults (from 46.1% to 26.1%; p < 0.05) and children (from 55.3% to 40.7%; p < 0.05). Segmented regression analysis demonstrated a significant break in the rate of transfer-related clinical issues in 2014 (p < 0.05) and 2015 (p < 0.01) for adults. Accurate body surface area estimations also increased significantly by 53% and 50% for adults and children (p < 0.05 for both), respectively, after 2015. CONCLUSION: Our analysis indicates that the early care of burn-injured patients undergoing inter-hospital transfer is associated with clinical, technical, and logistical challenges. However, introduction of the burn injury Transfer Feedback Form has been associated with improvements in early burn care by referring centres both temporally and geographically. Smartphone-based applications such as the NSW Trauma App have also probably contributed to these findings. Adopting these simple, inexpensive strategies into burn care systems will augment inter-hospital transfer of burn-injured patients, and improve clinical outcomes.

Management strategies for perioperative anaemia in the severely burn-injured Jehovah's Witness patients who decline a blood transfusion: A systematic review with illustrative case reports.

BACKGROUND: The management of severe burn-injured Jehovah's Witness patients who decline a blood transfusion poses unique challenges. The literature is scant for guiding perioperative anaemia management in these patients. We present a systematic review of this patient group, along with illustrative, consecutive case reports of our experience. METHODS: A systematic review was performed on Embase, MEDLINE and PubMed databases on articles discussing the treatment of burn-injured Jehovah's Witness patients. Articles were excluded if discussing isolated inhalation injury, or if blood transfusions were permitted. RESULTS: Nine articles including a total of 11 patients revealed consistent themes. A multimodal medical and surgical approach is suggested. Medical strategies are directed at reducing blood loss and optimising haematopoiesis and include rationalising blood collection, reversing coagulopathy, administering tranexamic acid and regular erythropoietin. Surgical strategies include staged aggressive debridement, tumescent adrenaline infiltration and limb tourniquets. We found that the argon beam coagulator was an effective haemostatic adjunct not previously described in literature. DISCUSSION: Management of anaemia in severely burn-injured Jehovah's Witness patients is challenging. This systematic review presents a summary of strategies directed at minimising blood loss, and optimising haematopoiesis. Careful preoperative planning, meticulous surgical technique, and postoperative physiological support are caveats to success.

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.

First aid is associated with improved outcomes in large body surface area burns.

BACKGROUND: Animal studies indicate treating burn injuries with running water (first aid) for 20 min up to 3 h after burn reduces healing time and scarring. We have previously demonstrated the benefits of first aid in minor burn injuries with respect to a reduction in wound depth, faster healing, and decreased skin grafting utilisation. The purpose of this cohort study was to assess the effect of first aid on clinical outcomes in large body surface area burn injuries (≥20%). METHODS: Data was prospectively collected for patients with ≥20% TBSA burns from 2004- 2018. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the association of adequate first aid with 8 outcomes - mortality, total length of stay, total body surface area (TBSA), percentage/proportion of TBSA that was full thickness [PFTI], TBSA grafted, number of re-grafting sessions, intensive care admission, and intensive care length of stay. Adequate first aid was defined as the application of 20 min of cool, running tap water up to 3 h following the burn injury. FINDINGS: 390 patients were identified. Adequate first aid was received in 35.6% (139) of patients. There was a trend towards a reduction in mortality (OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.12-1.13; P = 0.08). Patients who received adequate first aid had a statistically significant 9.8% reduction in TBSA (95% CI -13.6% to -6.1%; P < 0.0001) as well as a 12% lower PTFI compared to patients who received inadequate first aid (95% CI -19% to -4%; P < 0.01). Whilst there was no significant effect of adequate first aid on the TBSA grafted (P = 0.37), adequate first aid was associated with a significantly less number of re-grafting sessions (95% CI --0.29 to -0.08; P < 0.001). INTERPRETATION: Adequate first aid with 20 min of running water is associated with improved outcomes in large burn injuries. Significant benefits are seen in a reduction in TBSA, proportion of the burn wound that is full thickness, as well as decreased re-grafting. This has significant patient and health system benefits and adds to the body of evidence supporting 20 min of cooling in burns care.

First aid improves clinical outcomes in burn injuries: Evidence from a cohort study of 4918 patients.

BACKGROUND: Animal studies indicate treating burn injuries with running water (first aid) for 20min up to 3h post-burn reduces healing time and scarring. There is a lack of human data to support such a recommendation. The purpose of this cohort study was to assess the effect of first aid on clinical outcomes. METHODS: Data was prospectively collected for patients with <10% total body surface area (TBSA) burns from 2007-2012. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the association of adequate first aid with four outcomes - wound depth, requirement for skin grafting, healing time (in non-grafted patients), and TBSA not grafted (in grafted patients). Adequate first aid was defined as the application of 20min of cool, running tap water up to 3h following the burn injury. FINDINGS: 4918 patients were identified. Adequate first aid was received in 58.1% (2859) of patients. It was associated with a statistically significant reduction in burn wound depth (OR 1.39; 95% CI 1.24-1.55; P<0.001) but was not associated with a reduction in TBSA (P=0.86) or requirement for grafting (P=0.47). In patients not requiring grafting, those who received adequate first aid were healed on average 10% (HR 1.10; 95% CI 1.03-1.18; P<0.01) or 1.9 days faster (95% CI -2.9 to -0.9; P<0.001). Adequate first aid in patients requiring grafting was associated with a 15% increase in TBSA that was not grafted (0.27%; 95% CI 0.01-0.52; P=0.04). INTERPRETATION: Adequate first aid with 20min of running water is associated with improved outcomes. Benefits are seen in a reduction in wound depth, faster healing, and decreased grafting requirements. This has significant patient and health system benefits, and calls for promotion of 20min of running water globally in burns care.

The optimal timing of outpatient Biobrane™ application for superficial and mid dermal partial thickness burns: Evidence for the '12-hour rule'.

BACKGROUND: Biobrane™ is a skin substitute used for the definitive management of partial thickness burns. No studies have examined the optimal timing of Biobrane™ application in this setting. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was a clinically significant difference in applying Biobrane to a superficial and mid dermal partial thickness burn within 12h after burn. METHODS: From August 2016-February 2017, 29 consecutive superficial and mid dermal partial thickness burn injuries were prospectively treated with Biobrane™ within 12h of the injury. This 'early Biobrane™' cohort was compared to a historical cohort of 148 patients who were treated with Biobrane™ for superficial and mid dermal burns after 12h after injury during 2015 to 2016. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the difference in time to re-epithelialisation and number of outpatient visits between the two cohorts. RESULTS: In the 'early Biobrane™' group, the mean TBSA was 3.5±2.7%. and the mean time to Biobrane™ application was 7.1±2.7h after burn injury. The mean time to re-epithelialisation in this group was 9.1±3.0 days, and no patients underwent skin grafting. In the 'delayed Biobrane™' group, the mean TBSA was 2.6±2.8% and the mean time to Biobrane™ application was 35.1±21.4h. The mean time to re-epithelialisation was 14.8±8.7 days, with 3 patients undergoing skin grafting. Regression analysis demonstrated a statistically significant 63% reduction in time to re-epithelialisation (95% CI=0.23-0.60; P<0.0001) with early Biobrane™ application. CONCLUSION: Patients treated with application of Biobrane™ within 12h of superficial and mid dermal partial thickness burns have a statistically significant reduction in healing time when compared to patients treated with standard Biobrane™ practice.

Oztag: high risk for hand injuries?

BACKGROUND: Oztag is an Australian tag rugby code in which opponents are 'tackled' by removing Velcro tabs from their shorts. It is assumed to be safer than other higher-contact rugby codes. METHODS: Oztag-related hand injuries were identified by a word search of the electronic emergency department records of Concord Repatriation General Hospital from January 2011 to October 2013. Clinical records were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight presentations were identified. Mean age of patients was 24 years (range 13-38). Injuries included fractures, dislocations and ligamentous injuries, in isolation or combination. The most common injuries were middle phalangeal fractures (six), all of which required operative fixation. No tendon avulsions were identified. The most common mechanism of injury was attempted tackle, which was much more likely to require operative management than any other mechanism (70% versus 14%, P = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: While the prevalence of Oztag-related hand injuries may be low, the occurrence of potentially debilitating injuries in a young, working population raises concern. The 'tag' tackle, which involves players running at speed with outstretched fingers, is particularly high risk. Prospective audit of injuries is required and players and organizers should be made aware of the dangers of this 'low-contact' sport.

Risk factors for, and the effect of MRSA colonization on the clinical outcomes of severely burnt patients.

BACKGROUND: MRSA is an on-going problem for burn patients. AIM: To analyze risk factors for, and the effect of MRSA colonization on burn patients' outcome. METHODS: During 21 months burn patients' details and MRSA isolates were analyzed, and a case-control study performed. RESULTS: Of 357 burn patients, 57 (16%) tested positive for MRSA. Compared to the MRSA negative group, MRSA positive patients had a higher median total burn surface area (15%[IQR 5-17%] vs. 5%[IQR 2-8%]; p<0.001), more admissions to ICU (54% vs. 26%; p<0.001), longer ICU length of stay (4.3 vs. 1.0 days; p<0.001), required more operations (1.6 vs. 0.8; p<0.001), and had longer total hospital length of stay (25.5 vs. 8.0 days; p<0.001). MRSA positivity was a significant independent predictor of increased length of stay (6.0 days, 95%CI 2.39-9.6 days; p=0.001) in a multivariable regression model correcting for patients TBSA and co-morbidities. Cardiac comorbidities (OR 5.14, 95%CI 1.76-15.62; p<0.001) and a longer exposure to the hospital environment (OR 1.05, 95%CI 1.02-1.09, p=0.005) increased the likelihood for MRSA positivity. CONCLUSION: The negative impact of MRSA positivity on burn patients outcome indicates the need for improved screening procedures for early identification and further efforts toward MRSA infection control to prevent cross-infection as this may significantly impair patients' outcome.

Accuracy of burn size estimation in patients transferred to adult Burn Units in Sydney, Australia: an audit of 698 patients.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare burn size estimation between referring centres and Burn Units in adult patients transferred to Burn Units in Sydney, Australia. METHODS: A review of all adults transferred to Burn Units in Sydney, Australia between January 2009 and August 2013 was performed. The TBSA estimated by the referring institution was compared with the TBSA measured at the Burns Unit. RESULTS: There were 698 adults transferred to a Burns Unit. Equivalent TBSA estimation between the referring hospital and Burns Unit occurred in 30% of patients. Overestimation occurred at a ratio exceeding 3:1 with respect to underestimation, with the difference between the referring institutions and Burns Unit estimation being statistically significant (P<0.001). Significant overestimation occurs in the early transfer of burn-injured patients as well as in patients transferred more than 48h after the burn (P<0.005). Underestimation occurs with less frequency but rises with increasing time after the burn (P<0.005) and with increasing TBSA. Throughout the temporal spectrum of transferred patients, severe burns (≥20% TBSA) were found to have more satisfactory burn size estimations compared with less severe injuries (<20% TBSA; P<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: There are significant inaccuracies in burn size assessment by referring centres. The systemic tendency for overestimation occurs throughout the entire TBSA spectrum, and persists with increasing time after the burn. Underestimation occurs less frequently but rises with increasing time after the burn and with increasing TBSA. Severe burns (≥20% TBSA) are more accurately estimated by the referring hospital. The inaccuracies in burn size assessment have the potential to result in suboptimal treatment and inappropriate referral to specialised Burn Units.

Reconstruction of soft tissue necrosis secondary to cryoglobulinaemia.

Cryoglobulinaemia is an uncommon immunological disorder that can lead to extensive areas of skin and soft-tissue necrosis. The reconstructive surgeon may be faced with the wound complications of cryoglobulinaemia but there are few case reports in the literature to help guide the reconstructive approach. Moreover, the literature suggests that these wounds are refractory to conventional wound care principles and routine reconstructive practices, and can signify a high risk of morbidity and mortality. We present a case of cryoglobulinaemia leading to severe bilateral lower limb ulceration with necrosis extending through subcutaneous tissues and muscle to the level of bone. Faced with the possibility of above knee amputation, these wounds with exposed bone denuded of periosteum were successfully reconstructed with the dermal regeneration template Pelnac® (Gunze Corp., Kyoto, Japan) and secondary split skin grafting. As far as we are aware, this is the first case reported in the literature where reconstruction was successful, disease remission was achieved, and significant morbidity or mortality did not ensue. We discuss caveats to the reconstruction of soft tissue loss secondary to cryoglobulinaemia, and highlight the multimodal approach to treatment.

Origins of lacrimal surgery, and evolution of dacryocystorhinostomy to the present.

The creation of an alternative pathway from the lacrimal sac into the nose has been practised for over two millennia. Early historical figures who pioneered lacrimal surgery were Celsus and Galen, treating dacryocystitis by plunging a red-hot cautery iron through the lacrimal bone into the nose. Better understanding of lacrimal physiology and anatomy led to the introduction of more sophisticated techniques in the 18th century. However, despite these approaches, the technique of Celsus continued to be practised well into the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Modern lacrimal surgery began when the Italian otolaryngologist, Toti, described his external dacryocystorhinostomy procedure in 1904. Dupuy-Dutemps and Bourget refined Toti's procedure, and introduced the technique of anastomosing lacrimal and nasal mucosal flaps which remains the foundation of the external dacryocystorhinostomy performed today. The endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy was described before the external approach, but its popularity and success grew only in recent times.

Margins of excision and prognostic factors for cutaneous eyelid melanomas.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines for wide excision of cutaneous melanomas according to Breslow thickness are impractical when considering melanomas arising on eyelid skin. No consensus exists regarding appropriate excision margins for these tumours. This study sought to determine whether excision margins influenced locoregional recurrence, and to identify prognostic factors for survival in these patients. METHODS: Fifty-six cases of invasive cutaneous eyelid melanomas diagnosed between 1985 and 2011 were identified from the database of Melanoma Institute Australia. Clinical and pathological factors were assessed for their associations with recurrence and survival. RESULTS: Local recurrence occurred in 12 patients (21%), nodal metastasis in 6 (11%) and distant metastasis in 2 (4%). Pathological margins>2 mm from the in situ component of the tumour were associated with increased disease-free survival (P=0.029) compared with margins≤2 mm but there was no statistically significant benefit for a pathological margin>2 mm from the invasive component. Lower eyelid melanomas were found to have a significantly higher local recurrence rate than upper eyelid melanomas (P=0.044). CONCLUSIONS: This series of cutaneous eyelid melanomas is the largest yet reported. The results suggest that, as a minimum, an in vivo surgical margin of 3 mm (corresponding to a 2 mm pathological margin after tissue fixation) is desirable for eyelid melanomas. We recommend a surgical excision margin of 3 mm for eyelid melanomas≤1 mm in Breslow thickness. However, for melanomas>1 mm in thickness, the current practice of aiming to achieve 5 mm margins would seem reasonable. Patients with lower eyelid melanomas warrant particularly close follow-up given their higher local recurrence rate.

Isolated cutis verticis gyrata of the glabella and nasal bridge: a case report and review of the literature.

Cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) is an uncommon morphological condition of the scalp characterised by ridges and furrows resembling the surface of the brain. We present a case of secondary CVG affecting both the glabella and nasal aesthetic unit. To our knowledge, isolated CVG of the glabella has never been reported nor has extension of CVG onto the nasal aesthetic unit of the face. We also describe an association between hyper-IgE syndrome and CVG, and review this rare disorder including options for its surgical management.