Steam inhalation: More harm than good? Perspective from a UK burns centre.

INTRODUCTION: Steam inhalation is common practice in UK households for coryzal symptoms in adults and children. Steam inhalation has the potential to and has caused significant scald injuries, predominantly due to unintentional contact with the hot water used. METHODS: The authors used electronic health records to retrospectively identify all patients admitted with scald injuries secondary to steam inhalation over a 2-year period from January 2018-December 2019 at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, a regional burns centre. Data collected included patient demographics, mechanism of burn, as well as burn size, depth, treatment and any associated complications. An International Burns Injury Database enquiry assessed the national prevalence steam inhalation scalds over the same time period. RESULTS: 19 adult and paediatric patients were identified in our centre over a 2-year period, with an age range of 2 weeks to 91 years old. The majority (16/19, 84%) of patients received burns to their lower body, with three patients receiving burns to their chest and/or upper limbs. Six patients underwent surgery, 98 clinic appointments were utilised and the total length of hospital stay was 83 days. The estimated total cost of treating these 19 patients was over £31,872. Nationally, 201 cases were identified between Jan 2018-Dec 2019. CONCLUSIONS: Scald injuries secondary to steam inhalation have a significant impact both in terms of hospital stay and cost. Since this study captured only patients admitted to hospital, the true negative impact of steam inhalation is likely to be much higher than calculated. Better public awareness on the risks of steam inhalation and primary prevention policies could reduce the frequency of such injuries.

Application of calcium nebulization for mass exposure to an accidental hydrofluoric acid spill.

PURPOSE: To determine the long-term prevalence and characteristics of acute hydrofluoric acid (HF) exposure in 2223 patients during the first 30 months after a mass-casualty exposure, and to confirm the antidotal effect of nebulized calcium on inhalation burns caused by HF. METHODS: This observational cohort study included patients after an HF spill in the Republic of Korea on September 27, 2012; registered patients were followed until April 2015. We assessed toxic effects, distance from spill, degree of acute poisoning, and the effect of nebulized calcium in HF-exposed individuals. RESULTS: Overall, 2223 patients received emergency management or antidote therapy for 20 days. Seventy-four of 134 patients with dermal toxicity received calcium-lidocaine gel, and 368 individuals with bronchial irritation signs received calcium gluconate via nebulizer nCG. A total 377 ampoules 786 g of calcium gluconate were used in the nCG formulation. Calcium administration did not cause adverse reactions during the observation period. Long-term cohort observation showed that 120 patients (120/2233, 5.4%) returned to medical facilities for management of HF-related symptoms within 1 month; 18 persons (18/1660, 1.1%) returned 1-3 months later with chronic cough and respiratory symptoms; and 3 patients (3/1660, 0.2%) underwent medical treatment due to upper-airway toxic symptoms more than 2 years after HF exposure. CONCLUSION: Respiratory toxicity after mass exposure to an HF spill was successfully treated by calcium nebulizer. Based on our experience, detoxification processes and the amounts of antidote stocked are important when planning for future chemical disasters at the community level.

Airway management in inhalation injury: a case series.

Inhalation injury is a serious consequence of a fire or an explosion, with potential airway compromise and respiratory complications. We present a case series of five patients with inhalational burns who presented to Singapore General Hospital and discuss our approach to their early management, including early evaluation and planning for the upper and lower airway, coexisting cutaneous burns, and monitoring their ICU (intensive care unit) severity of illness, sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. All five patients suffered various grades of inhalation injury. The patients were initially assessed by nasolaryngoscopy, and three patients were prophylactically intubated before being sent to the emergency operating theatre for definitive airway and burns management with fibreoptic bronchoscopy. All patients were successfully extubated and discharged stable. Various complications can arise as a result of an inhalation injury. Based on our cases and literature review, we propose a standardised workflow for patients with inhalation injury.

E-cigarette burn injuries: Comprehensive review and management guidelines proposal.

INTRODUCTION: Electronic cigarettes (EC) have been reported to be associated with burns secondary to explosions of the device or battery, or contact from overheating, resulting in flame, contact or chemical burns. In addition to this, there have also been reported cases of soft tissue and bony trauma with or without associated burns. Using collective evidence, this review aims to summarise all reported burns associated with ECs, and its implications on immediate management with a particular focus on surgical treatment. METHODS: A search was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE and Medline for all case reports, case series and letters to editors published since 2014, using terms "electronic cigarette", "e-cigarette", "vaping" and "burn". The search was repeated by the co-author to avoid bias and a review of the bibliographies of each paper was conducted to ensure all relevant cases were included. The mechanisms, type and severity of burn injury, and management and treatment outcomes of the patients were recorded. Exclusion criteria included non-English articles, explosions with no associated burn and publications with insufficient information. RESULTS: 90 patients from 19 case series or case reports were included. With the exception of one study, gender was recorded with a male predominance (95.6%). Mean age is 30.1years (range 18-59). The most common type of burn was flame. However, there were reports of chemical burns associated with ECs. The mean total body surface area (TBSA) affected was 4.9% (range 1-27.25%) with the majority of burns being mixed partial and full thickness. 22 patients underwent excision and autologous skin grafting within range of three to 21days. One patient had a full thickness contact burn excised and closed, one patient received a xenograft following debridement and one had biosynthetic skin dressing. 42 patients were managed conservatively with dressings or ointments. DISCUSSION: In this review over a three-year period (2015-2017), 90 cases of EC related burn injuries were reported, however, this is likely an underestimation of the problem. The suggested mechanism for EC related injuries is battery malfunction. ECs are powered by Lithium ion batteries which are susceptible to "thermal runaway" reactions, which result in device overheating with potential for subsequent explosion. We explain hypothesized triggers for these reactions and mechanisms of other injuries associated with ECs such as chemical burns and blast injury. CONCLUSION: EC-associated burn injury results in combined thermal and chemical burns, which should be managed in tandem. Explosion injuries sustained whilst using the device may result in both facial trauma or inhalation injury and therefore should be reviewed with a high index of clinical suspicion. It is noted that there is no agreed standard for management for such burns by specialist bodies in the UK. We suggested a treatment algorithm to provide guidance for the burn injuries associated with ECs.

Butane Hash Oil Burns: A 7-Year Perspective on a Growing Problem.

With the legalization of marijuana in four states, and decriminalization in many others, marijuana is becoming easier to obtain. The authors have experienced an increase in burn injuries related to the production of butane hash oil (BHO; a concentrated tetrahydrocannabinol product produced by the distillation of marijuana plant products with pressurized butane). This article updates our experience and highlights the increasing public health problem associated with these burns. Charts of patients who presented to the burn center with suspicion of BHO-related injuries between January 2007 and December 2014 were examined. Data collected included demographics, injury characteristics, treatment utilized, and outcomes. Charts of 101 patients were identified as having BHO-related burn injury. The mean age of these patients was 30.5 ± 10.6 years (mean ± standard deviation, range: 2-55 years) and 93.1% were male. Patients sustained a mean of 26.8 ± 24.1% TBSA burn with 14.3 ± 25.1% third degree burns. Three patients died as the result of their injuries. Patients required a mean of 12 ± 48.4 ventilator days, and 27.1 ± 59.4 days in the hospital. The number of patients presenting with these burns increased over the past 7 years. BHO burns occur most commonly in February (12 patients), on Wednesday (19 patients), and between 18:00 and 06:00 (58 patients). There has been a sharp increase in the number of patients presenting with burn-associated BHO production in the region over the past 7 years. The authors as burn care providers need to increase public awareness of this issue and aid in the development of legislation to help prevent these burns before it becomes a public health crisis.

Laryngeal Trauma Following an Inhalation Injury: A Review and Case Report.

The primary concern when managing a patient with inhalation injury is security of the airway. Airflow may be impeded by both edema of the upper airway and reduction of oxygen delivery to the lower respiratory tract. Although there has been much discussion regarding management of the latter, the focus of this article is the management of the former. This review aimed to determine the optimum management in burn victims with upper airway inhalation injury as an attempt to prevent laryngeal trauma leading to long-term voice disorders and upper airway dyspnea. We describe the case of a 57-year-old woman with significant inhalation injury and discuss the natural progression of her injuries and the laryngeal controversies surrounding her care. We conclude with advice on the optimal management of this condition based on our experience, combined with current best evidence.

Injuries following a serious hydrofluoric acid leak: First aid and lessons.

Hydrofluoric acid is a dangerous inorganic acid that can cause local corrosion and systemic effects by ongoing absorption via the skin, mucosae, respiratory tract and digestive system. Recently, a serious toxic leak of low-concentration hydrofluoric acid solution occurred in the Pujiang area of Zhejiang Province, China. This accident resulted in 253 cases of chemical injury due to hydrofluoric acid exposure. Despite an immediate response by the local and provincial health-care system, as well as the local government, three people died due to acute poisoning and related complications. This article describes the events that took place leading to casualties as well as presenting the first-aid experience and the lessons learnt from this kind of mass injury.

Mass chemical casualties: treatment of 41 patients with burns by anhydrous ammonia.

BACKGROUND: This article reports a chemical burn incident that occurred on 31 August 2013 in Shanghai. We describe situations at the scene, emergency management, triage, evacuation, and follow-up of the victims. METHOD: The scene of the incident and information on the 41 victims of this industrial chemical incident were investigated. The emergency management, triage, evacuation, and hospitalization data of the patients were summarized. RESULTS: At the time of the incident, 58 employees were working in a closed refrigerator workshop, 41 of whom sustained burns following the leakage of anhydrous ammonia. Ten victims died of severe inhalation injury at the scene, and another five victims died during the process of evacuation to the nearest hospital. After receiving information on the incident, a contingency plan for the burn disaster was launched immediately, and a first-aid group and an emergency and triage group were dispatched by the Changhai Hospital to the scene to aid the medical organization, emergency management, triage, and evacuation. All casualties were first rushed to the nearest hospital by ambulance. The six most serious patients with inhalation injuries were evacuated to the Changhai Hospital and admitted to the burn intensive care unit (BICU) for further treatment, one of whom died of respiratory failure and pulmonary infection. CONCLUSION: This mass casualty incident of anhydrous ammonia leakage caused potential devastating effects to the society, especially to the victims and their families. Early first-aid organization, emergency management, triage, and evacuation were of paramount importance, especially rapid evaluation of the severity of inhalation injury, and subsequent corresponding medical treatment. The prognosis of ammonia burns was poor and the sequelae were severe. Management and treatment lessons were drawn from this mass casualty chemical burn incident.

Occupational-Related Chemical Injuries: A Review of the Literature.

Although few occupational chemical injuries are reported each year, the severity of these injuries increases their importance to occupational health nurses who intervene to prevent these injuries by understanding their nature and etiology. This article is a review of the literature detailing specific occupational chemical injuries as well as a review of common occupational chemical injuries in the United States focusing on pulmonary, ocular, and burn injuries.

Airway compromise in children with anterior neck burns: Beware the scalded child.

AIM: The aim of the study was to describe characteristics of children with anterior neck burns admitted to our Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and to highlight potential airway complications associated with these injuries, especially in children with scalds. METHODS: Retrospective review of children with anterior neck burns requiring admission to PICU January 2004-December 2013. RESULTS: Fifty-two children with anterior neck burns were admitted; average age 6.6 years. Thirty sustained flame/explosion injuries; 22 scalds. Seventy-nine per cent were male. Mean total body surface area (TBSA) burn 21%. Forty-seven were intubated. Some primary reasons for intubation included unconsciousness, inhalational/ingestion/direct airway injury and large TBSA. Majority, however, required intubation for airway complications secondary to subcutaneous/soft tissue anterior neck oedema not associated with airway injury/ingestion/inhalational burns. The scalds subgroup mean age was 2.3 years. Eighty-two per cent were male. Mean TBSA 18%. There were no inhalational/ingestion/airway injuries. Nineteen children were intubated; average 9.3 h post-injury. Majority (63%) were intubated post-arrival in the Burn Unit, compared with flame/explosion group (32%). Primary reasons for intubation included large burns, although majority (74%) required intubation for airway complications secondary to subcutaneous and soft tissue anterior neck oedema. For the flame/explosion group this was the case in only 46%, with other primary reasons such as unconsciousness or inhalational injury being the immediate precedent. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that subcutaneous and soft tissue oedema secondary to anterior neck burns may contribute to airway narrowing and compromise requiring intubation. When assessing children's airways, evolving oedema should be recognised and higher observation or early intubation considered regardless of the mechanism of injury.

Comparison of the effects of TripleGates and Gates-Glidden burs on cervical dentin thickness and root canal area by using cone beam computed tomography

The search for new instruments to promote an appropriate cervical preparation has led to the development of new rotary instruments such as TripleGates. However, to the best of the authors' knowledge, there is no study evaluating TripleGates effect on the “risk zone” of mandibular molars. Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a crown-down sequence of Gates-Glidden and TripleGates burs on the remaining cervical dentin thickness and the total amount of dentin removed from the root canals during the instrumentation by using cone beam computed tomography. The number of separated instruments was also evaluated. Material and Methods : Mesial roots of 40 mandibular first molars were divided into 2 equal groups: crown-down sequence of Gates-Glidden (#3, #2, #1) and TripleGates burs. Cervical dentin thickness and canal area were measured before and after instrumentation by using cone beam computed tomography and image analysis software. Student’s t-test was used to determine significant differences at p<0.05. Results : No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed between the instruments, regarding the root canal area and dentin wall thickness. Conclusion : Both tested instruments used for cervical preparation were safe to be used in the mesial root canal of mandibular molars. .

Management and sequelae of a 41-year-old jehovah's witness with severe anhydrous ammonia inhalation injury.

Anhydrous ammonia is a commonly used chemicals that are found in fertilizer, refrigeration, and in other occupational environments. Lung damage because of inhalation of ammonia can be devastating, producing debilitating lung disease and can ultimately lead to death. This is the case of a 41-year-old male, previously healthy, Jehovah's Witness, who was working at a poultry plant facility when an explosion occurred exposing him to toxic levels of anhydrous ammonia. Our patient developed end-stage lung disease after sustaining a severe ammonia inhalation injury. Despite aggressive pulmonary rehabilitation, the patient continued to deteriorate, and his only option for a chance at improved quality of life was a double-lung transplant. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a bloodless lung transplantation for inhalational lung injury in the literature. Further study is needed to better understand the effects of ammonia on lung physiology in order to better manage and treat patients who develop acute and chronic lung complications after exposure.

Airway fire during double-lung transplantation.

Airway fire is a well-documented event during airway surgery with devastating outcomes. Individuals involved in the care of these patients should be aware of this possible complication and precautions needed to prevent this complication.

Brother, have you got a light? Assessing the need for intubation in patients sustaining burn injury secondary to home oxygen therapy.

Home oxygen therapy use has steadily increased for the past 30 years. A majority of these patients suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease secondary to smoking. Although warned of the danger of smoking while on oxygen, patients continue to do so, potentially resulting in cutaneous burns and suspected inhalation injury. Those suspected of inhalation injury are intubated for airway control. In the English literature, there is a paucity of data discussing the need for intubation. To date, this is the largest study to determine whether intubated patients had inhalation injury as observed by bronchoscopy and whether intubation was necessary. All patient's charts who sustained burns while on home oxygen therapy from May 2000 to May 2010 were retrospectively reviewed (n = 86). Data collected were age, sex, TBSA, ventilator days, length of stay (LOS), and presence or absence of inhalation. Of those patients intubated, a subset analysis was performed to determine whether intubation in the "Field" or "Outside Hospital" correlated with inhalation injury compared with intubation in our Emergency Department. Eighty-six patients (mean age 64 years, mean %TBSA 2.6) were included. Before transfer to the burn unit, 32 patients (37%) were intubated and 52 patients (61%) were not intubated. Of the 32 intubated patients, bronchoscopy confirmed inhalation injury in 12 patients (39%). No significant difference was seen in %TBSA between intubated vs nonintubated patients (3.5 vs 2.0, respectively). However, there was a difference in LOS between the two groups (12.7 vs 2.8, respectively). No difference was found in incidence of inhalation injury between patients intubated in the "Field/Outside Hospital" compared with patients intubated in our Emergency Department (39% and 37.5%, respectively). Between the subgroups, no difference was found in %TBSA, ventilator days, or LOS. One patient admitted for airway observation required intubation and one patient failed extubation, postoperatively. Patients on home oxygen therapy suspected of inhalation injury should ideally be observed for signs of airway compromise before intubation is performed.

Trauma mechanisms, patterns of injury, and outcomes in a retrospective study of 71 burns from civil gas explosions.

BACKGROUND: Although explosion injuries caused by terror attacks or in war are evaluated in many studies, limited information about civil explosion injuries can be found in the literature. METHODS: In a retrospective study of 71 civil gas explosion injuries treated in a single burn center during a 16-year period, we evaluated trauma mechanisms, patterns of injury, and clinical outcome. RESULTS: More than 50% of all gas explosions injuries occurred in private households. The mortality correlated significantly with higher burned total body surface area (TBSA), higher abbreviated burn severity index (ABSI) score, accompanying inhalation injuries, and lung contusions. Although mean ABSI score and burned TBSA were similar in men and women (6 vs. 7 and 22% vs. 21%), the female mortality from gas explosions was noticeably higher, albeit not statistically significant due to small patient numbers (32% vs. 17%). Although mean burned TBSA, ABSI scores, and intensive care unit lengths of stay in patients with burns from gas explosions were comparable and not significantly different compared with all burn patients treated in our burn center (TBSA: 22% vs. 17%; ABSI: 6 vs. 6; and intensive care unit lengths of stay: 12 vs. 11 days), the mortality from gas explosions was significantly higher (21% vs. 12%, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The mortality from gas explosion-related burns correlated significantly with burned TBSA, ABSI score, accompanying inhalation injuries, and lung contusions. Despite comparable ABSI scores, the mortality from gas explosion-related burns was significantly higher than the mortality for all burn victims.