Risk of burns in pressure cooker usage: a comprehensive analysis of explosive injuries.

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread use of pressure cookers for quick and efficient cooking, literature has insufficiently highlighted the potential dangers resulting from inappropriate handling. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of 32 patients who presented with pressure cooker burns, emphasizing the serious risks associated with their misuse. METHODS: Retrospective data were collected from patients admitted to Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital Burn Center between 2017 and 2020 with pressure cooker burns in Türkiye. Data encompassed patient characteristics, burn causes, locations, severities, treatments, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The study included 32 patients (29 female/3 male) with a mean age of 42.3 (8-83). Patients were categorized based on burn areas, revealing associated injuries such as ocular (34.3%) and ear injuries (6.25%). The average hospital stay was 10.5 days [2-37]. While five pressure cookers exploded due to product-related issues, 26 explosions resulted from user errors (15.6%/81.2%). Importantly, no mortality was observed among the patients. CONCLUSION: While pressure cookers facilitate rapid food preparation, this study underscores the severe risks arising from product or usage errors. This study emphasizes the need for more effective usage instructions and increased awareness about pressure cookers to prevent burn risks. We anticipate that educational programs focused on safe pressure cooker use could significantly reduce the incidence of serious injuries.

Our experience with dermal substitute Nevelia® in the treatment of severely burned patients.

BACKGROUND: This research aims to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness and safety of dermal substitute (DS), Nevelia®, for the treatment of severely burned patients. METHODS: Twenty severely burned patients were enrolled in this study between May 2017 and May 2018. After escharotomy of the wound, the treatment protocol was applied following a two-step procedure -DS implantation followed by split-thickness skin graft (STSG) application. Need for surgery, complications, hospitalisation duration and overall survival were analysed. RESULTS: Mean age was 40.1±4 (18-86) years old; female/male: 5/15. Mean burn surface area was 50.1%±2 (25-96). Two patients died under hospital treatment due to the severity of their burn trauma and comorbidities. For the rest of the cases, STSG was performed after Nevelia® at mean 21.2 days. No complications due to Nevelia® were detected. The patients were discharged with a mean total recovery of 55.2±4 days. CONCLUSION: This study showed that Nevelia® can be used safely and effectively in severely burned patients with low complication rates and short hospital stay.