Iatrogenic chylothorax in major burn patient: case report and literature review.

Chylothorax is a potentially life-threatening form of pleural effusion containing lymphatic fluid. Its etiology may be either traumatic (either post-operative or a direct result of injury), a congenital abnormality of the thoracic duct, or non-traumatic. This is a case report of a left iatrogenic chylothorax, which developed 2 days after internal jugular vein catheterization, in a patient with 50% total body surface area (TBSA) burns. This complication was treated successfully by tube thoracostomy and oral supplementation with a low fat, high carbohydrate, high protein diet. Further the authors review the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation and recommended management of catheter-related chylothorax.

Abdominal compartment syndrome monitoring in major burn patients with Siriraj device catheter.

Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is consistently reported to have significant morbidity and mortality. Major burn patients who receive massive fluid resuscitation are at high-risk for this condition. Close monitoring of ACS is necessary for these patients. Prolonged unrelieved intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) at greater than 20 mmHg can produce significant morbidity and mortality. The most widely accepted and feasible way to measure IAP is via the draining port of a standard urinary catheter Siriraj burn unit developed its own device from simple equipment that can be found easily in the hospital. It proved to be useful, cheap, and effective in monitoring intra-abdominal pressure. The present study described techniques of using this device for monitoring and early detection of ACS. Five major burn patients > or = 40% Total body surface area (TBSA) was measured by IAP measurement via foley catheter using the Siriraj device catheter compared to direct measurement via peritoneal catheter. There was no difference of IAP between the two methods (p = 0.48). This suggested that Siriraj device catheter was useful, not invasive, and effective in reflection of actually IAP Siriraj burn unit suggested IAP measurement in all major burns > or = 40% TBSA to early recognize and treat intra-abdominal hypertension(IAH) that can lead to ACS. Early detection of this syndrome might decrease the adverse effects after increasing abdominal pressure that can cause organ dysfunction.

Comparison of efficacy of 1% silver sulfadiazine and Acticoat for treatment of partial-thickness burn wounds.

BACKGROUND: Acticoat (Smith & Nephew, Hull, UK) is a silver-coated dressing reported to reduce infection and exhibit antimicrobial activity in wounds. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to compare the efficacy ofacticoat and 1% silver sulfadiazine (1% AgSD) for treatment of partial thickness burn wounds. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The authors reviewed 50 patients who had partial thickness burn wounds less than 25% admitted to Siriraj Burn Unit from May 2002 to September 2005. All patients were divided into 2 groups: the acticoat treated group (25 patients) and the 1% silver sulfadiazine treated group (25 patients). The 2 groups were compared for the etiology of burn wound, demographic data including age, sex, % Total Body Surface Area burn (TBSA%), cultured organisms, wound infection and outcome of Length Of hospital Stay (LOS) and level of pain. RESULTS: The authors found no significant differences in age, TBSA (%) between both groups. 7 patients (28%) developed wound infection. There were no differences in wound infection and LOS between both groups (p > 0.05). All of the patients who developed wound infection responded well to targeted topical and systemic antibiotic treatment. The 1% AgSD treated group (6 of 25, 24%) obtained more split thickness skin graft to close the granulation defects compared to patients who were treated with acticoat (4 of 25, 16%) but no statistical significance, p = 0.32). Average pain scores in the acticoat treated groups were significantly lower than the 1% AgSD treated group (4 +/- 0.6 versus 5 +/- 0.7, respectively). CONCLUSION: The present study confirms the efficacy of acticoat treatment in partial thickness burn wound. The authors conclude that acticoat has an advantage of limiting the frequency of replacement of the dressing and provides a less painful alternative to wound care with 1% AgSD with comparable incidence of burn wound infection. This is due to its long wear time and the ease of application and removal.