RESUMEN
Burns are preventable injuries that still represent a relevant public health issue. The identification of risk factors might contribute to the development of specific preventive strategies. Data of patients admitted at the Hospital due to acute burn injuries from May 2017 to December 2019, was extracted manually from medical records. The population was analyzed descriptively, and differences between groups were tested using the appropriate statistical test. The study population consisted of 370 patients with burns admitted to the Hospital burn unit during the study period. The majority of the patients were males (257/370, 70%), median age was 33 (IQR:18-43), median TBSA% was 13 (IQR 6.35-21.5 and range 0-87.5%), and 54% of patients had full thickness burns (n=179). Children younger than 13 years old represented 17% of the study population (n=63), 60% of them were boys (n= 38), and scalds was the predominant mechanism of burn injury (n= 45). No children died, however 10% of adults did (n= 31). Self-inflicted burns were observed in 16 adults (5%), of whom 6 (38%) died during admission, however self-inflicted burns were not observed in children. Psychiatric disorders and substance misuse were frequent in this subgroup. White adults male from urban areas who had not completed primary school degree were the major risk group for burns. Smoking and alcohol misuse were the most frequent comorbidities. Accidental domestic flame burns were the predominant injuries in the adult population and scalds in the pediatric.
RESUMEN
Morel-Lavallée lesion (MLL) is a closed degloving soft-tissue injury that results in the accumulation of a hemolymphatic fluid between the skin/superficial fascia and the deep fascia. This is a rare injury that may be challenging to diagnose, and necessitates early identification and treatment to achieve the best outcomes. We report the case of a 45-year-old male patient who was referred to our institution for large wound closure after undergoing debridement of a misdiagnosed MLL that became complicated by infection and sepsis. The patient was retrospectively diagnosed with a Stage VI MLL and had to undergo 4 operations with skin grafting and vacuum-assisted closure therapy playing an essential role in achieving tissue closure. This case was presented as a reminder of this rare diagnosis, and the importance of considering it when faced with a patient presenting with a relevant clinical picture post trauma. An early diagnosis is important because early intervention can prevent complications and lead to better outcomes. The misdiagnosis in the case of our patient and delayed treatment led to an aggressive debridement with a large wound that was challenging to close.