Insignificant Difference in Early Post-injury Gene Expression Between Patients with Burns Only and Those with Inhalation Injury: A Bioinformatics Analysis.

Airway obstruction is fatal but common among burn patients in the early period after inhalation injury, during which most tracheotomies are performed within 48 h post-injury. Inflammation is common in laryngoscopy; however, the related gene expression has rarely been studied. In this study, we obtained the data of healthy control and patient samples collected within 8-48 hours post-injury from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and classified them into 10 inhalation-injury patients, 6 burn-only, and 10 healthy controls. Differential gene expression was identified between the patient groups; however, principal component analysis and cluster analysis indicated a similarity between groups. Furthermore, enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and gene set enrichment analyses showed no significant differences in immune regulation and cell adjustment between the patient groups; but differences were shown when comparing either patient group to the healthy control group, including prominent regulation in inflammatory cells, infection, and cell adjustment. Thus, the gene expression in inhalation injury and burn-only patients does not significantly differ in the early period after injury, especially in inflammation, indicating the absence of specific diagnostic markers or anti-inflammatory treatment in inhalation injury patients, with the potential to identify more subtle differences. Further research is warranted.

Laryngotracheal Reconstruction in the Pediatric Burn Patient: Surgical Techniques and Decision Making.

The management of laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) in the pediatric burn patient is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach. The mainstay of treatment for LTS is laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR), however, limited reports of burn-specific LTR techniques exist. Here, we provide insight into the initial airway evaluation, surgical decision making, anesthetic challenges, and incision modifications based on our experience in treating patients with this pathology. The initial airway evaluation can be complicated by microstomia, trismus, and neck contractures-the authors recommend treatment of these complications prior to initial airway evaluation to optimize safety. The surgical decision making regarding pursuing single-stage LTR, double-stage LTR, and 1.5-stage LTR can be challenging-the authors recommend 1.5-stage LTR when possible due to the extra safety of rescue tracheostomy and the decreased risk of granuloma, which is especially important in pro-inflammatory burn physiology. Anesthetic challenges include obtaining intravenous access, securing the airway, and intravenous induction-the authors recommend peripherally inserted central catheter when appropriate, utilizing information from the initial airway evaluation to secure the airway, and avoidance of succinylcholine upon induction. Neck and chest incisions are often within the TBSA covered by the burn injury-the authors recommend modifying typical incisions to cover unaffected skin whenever possible in order to limit infection and prevent wound healing complications. Pediatric LTR in the burn patient is challenging, but can be safe when the surgeon is thoughtful in their decision making.

Early Surgical Management of Thermal Airway Injury: A Case Series.

Inhalation injury is an independent risk factor in burn mortality, imparting a 20% increased risk of death. Yet there is little information on the natural history, functional outcome, or pathophysiology of thermal injury to the laryngotracheal complex, limiting treatment progress. This paper demonstrates a case series (n = 3) of significant thermal airway injuries. In all cases, the initial injury was far exceeded by the subsequent immune response and aggressive fibroinflammatory healing. Serial examination demonstrated progressive epithelial injury, mucosal inflammation, airway remodeling, and luminal compromise. Histologic findings in the first case demonstrate an early IL-17A response in the human airway following thermal injury. This is the first report implicating IL-17A in the airway mucosal immune response to thermal injury. Their second and third patients received Azithromycin targeting IL-17A and showed clinical responses. The third patient also presented with exposed tracheal cartilage and underwent mucosal reconstitution via split-thickness skin graft over an endoluminal stent in conjunction with tracheostomy. This was associated with rapid abatement of mucosal inflammation, resolution of granulation tissue, and return of laryngeal function. Patients who present with thermal inhalation injury should receive a thorough multidisciplinary airway evaluation, including early otolaryngologic evaluation. New early endoscopic approaches (scar lysis and mucosal reconstitution with autologous grafting over an endoluminal stent), when combined with targeted medical therapy aimed at components of mucosal airway inflammation (local corticosteroids and systemic Azithromycin targeting IL-17A), may have potential to limit chronic cicatricial complications.

[Analysis on treatment of extremely severe burn patients with severe inhalation injury in August 2nd Kunshan factory aluminum dust explosion accident].

Objective: To summarize the measures and experience in diagnosis and treatment of extremely severe burn patients with severe inhalation injury in dust explosion accident. Methods: The medical records of 13 patients with extremely severe burn complicated with severe inhalation injury in August 2nd Kunshan factory aluminum dust explosion accident who were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (hereinafter referred to as our hospital) on August 2nd, 2014, were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were transferred to our hospital 3-8 hours after injury under the condition of inhalation of pure oxygen. Twelve patients underwent tracheotomy within 5 hours after admission, while 1 patient underwent tracheotomy before admission. All the patients were in ventilator-assisted respiration, with synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation combined with positive end expiratory pressure. All the patients underwent thorax or limbs escharotomy on the second day after admission, so as to reduce the restrictive ventilatory dysfunction caused by the contraction of thorax eschar and the terminal circulation disorder caused by the contraction of limbs eschar. All the patients underwent electronic bronchoscopy within 48 hours after admission, airway secretion were cleared and airway lavage were carried out under electronic bronchoscope according to the patients' condition, and the sputum, lavage solution, pathological tissue were collected for microbiological culture. All the patients underwent chest X-ray examination on the second day after admission and reexamination as required. Patients were all treated with a combination of broad-spectrum antibiotics early after admission to control lung and systemic infection. One patient was treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for acute respiratory distress syndrome 1 week after admission. Results: One patient suffered from cardiopulmonary arrest during tracheotomy, which recovered autonomous respiration and cardiac impulse after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Three patients showed decreased pulse oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) within 48 hours after injury, and the SpO(2) returned to normal after sputum aspiration, scab removal and lavage under electronic bronchoscope. During the course of disease, bacteria were cultured from wound exudate of 7 patients, bacteremia occurred in 10 patients, and sputum microbiological culture results of 13 patients were positive. Eight of the 13 patients in this group survived, and 5 died. One patient died 19 days after injury, and 4 patients died 33-46 days after injury. The main cause of death was multiple organ dysfunction syndrome induced by severe septic shock eventually. Conclusions: For this batch of patients with extremely severe burn complicated with severe inhalation injury caused by dust explosion accident, the treatment and cure measures including early definite diagnosis and timely tracheotomy, the application of effective ventilation, the effective treatment of respiratory system complications, and rational use of antibiotics for the control of lung infection obtained quite good curative effect.

[Reflection on rescue and treatment of mass burn patients involved in August 2nd Kunshan factory aluminum dust explosion accident].

The treatment of mass burn patients is related to social stability, life saving, and disability reducing. It is also an important opportunity to accumulate, summarize, and improve clinical rescue and treatment experience. Aiming at August 2nd Kunshan factory aluminum dust explosion, this article reviews and summarizes experience and problems about rescue reserve, first-aid system, multidisciplinary cooperation, and integration of usual time and emergent time treatment, so as to propose corresponding strategies and provide reference for the treatment of mass burn patients and critically burned patients.

[Analysis of extubation time and late complications after early tracheotomy in patients with inhalation injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the appropriate extubation time and treatment of late complications after early tracheotomy in patients with moderate or severe inhalation injury. METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients (105 males and 45 females) with inhalation injury were admitted to our hospital from January 2000 to January 2009. Among them, 109 out of 129 cases with moderate inhalation injury received early tracheotomy, and all 21 cases with severe inhalation injury received early tracheotomy. Data were collected for analysis as follows: (1) incidence of re-intubation due to suffocation and pneumonia incidence after extubation within 2 weeks or after 2 weeks post inhalation injury (PII), and mortality rate within the first week after injury were recorded. (2) Conservative treatments including expectorant, oral antibiotics, and absolute bedrest were recommended for patients who had severe cough, hoarseness or poor pulmonary function after late extubation and closure of tracheostomy wound. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy findings (tracheostenosis degree, granuloma formation rate, vocal cord paralysis rate) and pulmonary function index (FEV(1)) data were collected and analyzed in 30 cases with moderate inhalation injury and 10 cases with severe inhalation injury within 3 months after injury for follow-up. Data were processed with t test or chi-square test. RESULTS: There was no obvious difference in the rate of re-intubation after extubation in patients with moderate inhalation injury between those done within 2 weeks PII (15/70, 21.4%) and those done after 2 weeks PII (2/25, 8.0%) (χ(2) = 1.52, P > 0.05). Pneumonia incidence in patients of moderate inhalation injury with extubation within 2 weeks PII (21/70, 30.0%) was lower than those with extubation after 2 weeks PII (15/25, 60.0%) (χ(2) = 7.04, P < 0.05). Levels of above-mentioned indexes in patients with severe inhalation injury extubated in different stages were similar to those of patients with moderate inhalation injury. Within the first week after injury, mortality rate of patients with severe inhalation injury was higher than that of patients with moderate inhalation injury (χ(2) = 11.90, P < 0.05). During follow-up, tracheostenosis rate in patients with moderate or severe inhalation injury was 100.0%; granuloma formation rate and vocal cord paralysis rate in patients with severe inhalation injury were higher than those of patients with moderate inhalation injury (with χ(2) value respectively 4.59, 13.47, P values all below 0.05). The FEV(1) value of patients with moderate inhalation injury in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd month after injury was respectively higher than that of patients with severe inhalation injury (with t value respectively 5.48, 12.10, 6.25, P values all below 0.05). The values recovered to normal level in the 3rd month after injury. CONCLUSIONS: Extubation time of tracheotomy for patients with moderate or severe inhalation injury within 2 weeks or after 2 weeks PII has its own advantage and disadvantage, and it should be performed according to specific conditions of each patient. Conservative treatment is optional for late complications of respiratory system.

[Surgery of traumatic tracheal and tracheobronchial injuries]. / Chirurgie traumatischer trachealer und tracheobronchialer verletzungen.

Tracheal injuries are altogether rare events and can be divided into three broad categories: tracheobronchial injuries caused by external violence, iatrogenic ruptures of the trachea and inhalation trauma. Successful management of tracheobronchial injuries requires a fast and straightforward diagnostic evaluation. In all severely injured patients with cervicothoracic involvement an injury of the tracheobronchial system should be actively excluded. Although it is commonly agreed that posttraumatic injuries require surgical intervention the management of iatrogenic injuries is presently shifting towards a more conservative treatment.

Tracheostomy in burns patients revisited.

OBJECTIVE: The use of tracheostomy in burns patients has been controversial. A retrospective study was conducted to assess the use, complications and outcome of tracheostomy in ventilated adult burns patients. METHODS: Data was collected retrospectively regarding the extent of injury in each patient, the indication for tracheostomy, and outcome in terms of length of stay, days of mechanical ventilation, airway and pulmonary complications and survival. Patients were followed until discharge from the unit or death. RESULTS: Comparing patients who received tracheostomy to those who had translaryngeal intubation showed similar age distribution and no significant difference in the total burn surface area (TBSA). The use of tracheostomy was significantly higher in patients with TBSA >60%. Inhalation injury was significantly higher and mean probability of survival (ABSI), significantly lower in patients receiving tracheostomy. Duration of mechanical ventilation, length of stay in HDU/ITU and the incidence of pulmonary sepsis were significantly higher in tracheostomy group patients. However, there was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Burn survivors with TBSA >60% are more likely to undergo repeated surgery and have burns to the head and neck region, therefore increasing the requirement for tracheostomy. Tracheostomy is a safe procedure with minimal perioperative complications. Late complications in this patient group may be related to duration of intubation and mechanical ventilation and the presence of an airway burn. Tracheostomy was associated with a higher prevalence of chest infection. We suspect that the cause of this is multifactorial, possibly due to a higher incidence of inhalation injury, greater burn size and prolonged mechanical ventilation in this group.

Percutaneous versus Conventional Tracheostomy in Burned Patients with Inhalation Injury.

The aim of the study was to compare conventional tracheostomy with percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in patients with inhalation burn injury. A total of 37 patients with severe burn injuries and associated inhalation injury, underwent percutaneous tracheostomy in our burn unit and were retrospectively compared with 22 patients who underwent conventional surgical tracheostomy. In the first group, 25 of 37 patients and in the second group 17 of 22 patients presented with partial or full-thickness burn injuries (or both) in the neck region. The cost of the procedure, operating time, complications, and incidence of pulmonary infection were recorded. There were no significant perioperative complications in the percutaneous tracheostomy group, and no patient required surgical revision or conversion to surgical tracheostomy. In the conventional tracheostomy group, 2 patients developed tracheal stenosis, 1 had a tracheoesophageal fistula, and 10 had stomal infections. The average procedure time in the first group was 9 minutes, and in the second group it was 22 minutes. The cost of the bedside percutaneous tracheostomy was one-fifth the cost of a conventional tracheostomy. The incidence of pulmonary sepsis was 45% after percutaneous tracheostomy compared to 68% after conventional tracheostomy. With the percutaneous technique, spontaneous closure of the stoma occurred within 1 to 3 days after removal of the tracheostomy tube, whereas with the conventional technique it was within 5 to 7 days. Percutaneous tracheostomy is associated with a lower complication rate and can be safely performed at the bedside. Moreover, it is faster and can be done at a lower cost than conventional open tracheostomy.

Acute burn injury.

Almost 2 million people in the United States suffer from burns annually. A small percentage of these injuries are fatal, but all require some degree of medical attention. Burn injury is associated with anatomic, physiologic, endocrinologic, and immunologic alterations. These problems need to be identified and treated properly to prevent or minimize the extent of the damage. In recent years, advances in burn treatment have reduced morbidity and mortality and improved the quality of life for burn survivors. These advances have been made in the treatment of the acute injury, the quality of the initial resuscitation, the effectiveness of infection control, and the surgical decision making for improved short- and long-term outcomes.

[Experience in the management of severe inhalation injury].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize our clinical experiences in the treatment of severe inhalation injury accompanying extensive burn. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 30 cases of inhalation injury (1980-1996) was done, the cure rate, mortality, effective treatments and lessons of failure were summarized. RESULTS: As soon as the diagnosis was defined, tracheostomy should be done immediately, followed by oxygen therapy, tracheo-bronchial lavage, aspiration, and clearance of airway secretion. If there was pulmonary edema or severe bronchospasm, cortical hormone was used for a short time, in addition, the patients were encouraged to cough, breathe deeply, and change postures, as well as patted on the back and also positioned to facilitate posture drainage, etc. These measures were effective. In this series, there were thirty cases of severe inhalation injury. Fourteen patients(46.6%) were cured, sixteen patients died(53.3%). The result was basically satisfactory. CONCLUSION: It is possible to increase the cure rate of severe inhalation injury, and the treatment should be carried out conscientiously as early as possible, and great attention should be paid to prevent various complications.

[Analysis of the treatment of 82 patients with inhalation injury].

OBJECTIVE: To learn the experiences and improve the treatment of inhalation injury. METHODS: Causes of death and treatment effects were analyzed in a group of 82 patients admitted from January 1994 to April 1998. RESULTS: Among the 82 patients, 33 patients were cured, 11 patients were improved and 38 patients died. Among the 38 cases of death, 24 patients died directly of inhalation injury and 14 patients died of other complications. CONCLUSION: The major causes of death of the patients with inhalation injury are acute intoxication, asphyxia, and ARDS(acute respiratory distress syndrome). For the treatment, tracheostomy should be carried out the earlier the better. Moistening of the airway and lavage may be effective in preventing lung infection, facilitating the ejection of phlegm and necrotic mucosa. The amount of fluid infusion should appropriately be increased and this will not lead to lung edema. Administration of corticol hormone in the early stage for a short period will also result in positive effects.

[Implementation of "four-early principle" to raise the successful rate in mass burn casualties].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and result of "four-early principle" in the treatment of mass burn casualties. METHODS: During the last 12 years, a total of 155 burn patients were admitted in 18 groups, and the following principles were implemented; early rapid fluid resuscitation during shock stage for delayed resuscitation patients; early tracheostomy to assist air passage humidification and lavation for moderate and severe inhalation injury; planning escharectomy and grafting during shock stage in patients with extensive deep burns; emphasizing early stage enteral nutritional support. RESULTS: The successful rate of treatment was raised, and the incidence of complications decreased in mass casualties with serious burn after implementing early stage treatment principles. CONCLUSION: The application of "four-early principle" on the treatment of mass burn casualties is feasible and effective.

[Treatment of mass burns].

OBJECTIVE: Present paper aims at summing up the experience from 42 cases over a four year period(1993-1997) in ten events of mass burn casualties. METHODS: 42 cases were analyzed retrospectively, in whom 15 cases sustained III degree burn over 50% TBSA. Among them 7 cases had III degree burn over 70% and 3 cases with III degree burn over 90%. RESULTS: One case (70% TBSA) died of acute respiratory distress syndrome on third postburn day. Another (III degree 70%) died of acute renal failure on seventh postburn day. The remaining 40 cases were successfully cured. CONCLUSION: Experiences gained in burn care in these ten mass casualties included: sending forward the medical expertise to the site of disaster; airlifting to accelerate transportation, adequate resuscitation in shock stage; early massive excision of eschar and skin grafting; control of burn infection; prevention of Curling ulcer hemorrhage, emphasis on supportive therapy; and the establishment of a skin bank.

Bronchoscopy and laryngoscopy findings as indications for tracheotomy in the burned child.

OBJECTIVE: To determine possible indications for tracheotomy in the burned child based on bronchoscopic and laryngoscopic findings. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective case study of all patients admitted to a tertiary children's burn center. PARTICIPANTS: All children admitted with burn inhalation injury between 1990 and 1995 (n = 211). INTERVENTION: All patients underwent laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy and 19 underwent tracheotomy, with 5 tracheotomy tubes placed emergently. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Observations during laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy included erythema, edema, carbonaceous material, ulcerations, and bronchial mucous casts. The supraglottis, glottis, and subglottis were analyzed separately, when possible. Any sepsis resulting from tracheotomy was determined. Complications, such as glottic webs, subglottic stenosis, and tracheomalacia, were noted. RESULTS: Indications for tracheotomy included 6 for airway obstruction, 6 for prolonged intubation, 6 for pulmonary cleansing, and 1 for endotracheal tube complications (subglottic stenosis). When examined by bronchoscopy and laryngoscopy, 17 of 19 children had significant airway edema, 10 had carbonaceous material in the airway, and 3 had ulcerations in the airway. CONCLUSIONS: Tracheotomy is indicated in the burned child when significant airway edema is present. Failure to place a tracheotomy tube in these cases leads to a high incidence of immediate tracheotomies (26%). There was no evidence of clinically significant infection attributable to tracheotomy. The number of airway complications due to tracheotomy was no higher than from endotracheal intubation.

Early excision and grafting versus conservative management of burns in the elderly.

Elderly burn patients have significantly higher mortality rates than younger patients with similar burns over the total body surface area. Two theories exist regarding treatment of burns in the elderly: a traditional approach to limit physiologic stress by avoidance of operative intervention in the early post-burn stage and eschar excision and wound closure within the first week of hospitalization. We examined retrospectively the outcome in patients 70 years or older, hospitalized in the University of Kentucky Burn Unit between 1975 and 1995. In the first decade (1975 to 1983), patients were managed conservatively, namely, with spontaneous eschar separation and late skin grafting. In the second half of the study period (1984 to 1994), elderly patients were managed by early operative excision (<7 days) and grafting. A total of 73 elderly patients were admitted to the unit, 6 of whom were not resuscitated and died shortly (<96 hours) after admission. Twenty-eight patients had early excision and grafting (average age 78.1 years, total body surface area 23.6 percent), and 39 were managed conservatively (average age 79.3 years, total body surface area 20.9 percent). The mortality rate was 57 percent in the first group and 41 percent in the second group (p = 0.22). In an effort to further define the two groups, the other patient variable that contributes to burn mortality besides age and total body surface area, inhalation injury, was subtracted and the mortality rates were recalculated. Excluding patients with inhalation injury, the mortality rate was 48 percent in the first group and 27 percent in the second group (p = 0.15). We conclude that, in our unit, the management of elderly patients by early excision and grafting was of no benefit and may have resulted in a higher mortality rate.

Pneumostatic effect of gelatin-resorcinol formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde glue on thermal injury of the lung: an experimental study on rats.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, the use of gelatin-resorcinol formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde (GRFG) glue has been reported in vascular surgery, especially in surgery for acute aortic dissection. However, reports concerning its use in lung surgery are quite rare. Although the strong adhesion and tensile strength of GRFG glue to fresh incisional wounds of the lung has been demonstrated experimentally, the effectiveness of this adhesive on thermal injury with severe tissue degeneration has not yet been reported. METHODS: We experimentally evaluated the ability of GRFG glue to seal air leaks through severely degenerated tissues after thermal injury on rat lung, and compared its performance with two reference adhesives: fibrin glue and EDH-adhesive. RESULTS: The GRFG glue provided complete pneumostasis immediately after the sealing in the presence of positive pressure ventilation, unlike the other two reference adhesives. The fate and biocompatibility of the three glues were examined histologically at 1 h and 3, 8, and 20 days after treatment. The GRFG glue tightly adhered to the degenerated tissue surface and was gradually fragmented and absorbed. The healing process was favorable, indicating good biocompatibility. Local tissue irritability was negligible. CONCLUSIONS: Even in the presence of tissue degeneration and positive pressure ventilation, the GRFG glue has proved efficacious as a surgical adhesive in lung surgery because of its ability to bind tissue rapidly and tightly.