Effectiveness of a Regenerative Epithelial Suspension (RES), on the pigmentation of split-thickness skin graft donor sites in children: the dRESsing pilot randomised controlled trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Paediatric donor site wounds are often complicated by dyspigmentation following a split-thickness skin graft. These easily identifiable scars can potentially never return to normal pigmentation. A Regenerative Epidermal Suspension (RES) has been shown to improve pigmentation in patients with vitiligo, and in adult patients following a burn injury. Very little is known regarding the efficacy of RES for the management of donor site scars in children. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A pilot randomised controlled trial of 40 children allocated to two groups (RES or no RES) standard dressing applied to donor site wounds will be conducted. All children aged 16 years or younger requiring a split thickness skin graft will be screened for eligibility. The primary outcome is donor site scar pigmentation 12 months after skin grafting. Secondary outcomes include re-epithelialisation time, pain, itch, dressing application ease, treatment satisfaction, scar thickness and health-related quality of life. Commencing 7 days after the skin graft, the dressing will be changed every 3-5 days until the donor site is ≥ 95% re-epithelialised. Data will be collected at each dressing change and 3, 6 and 12 months post skin graft. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval was confirmed on 11 February 2019 by the study site Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) (HREC/18/QCHQ/45807). Study findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. This study was prospectively registered on the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (available at https://anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12620000227998.aspx). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry [Available at https://anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12620000227998.aspx].

A pilot study comparing two burn wound stereophotogrammetry systems in a paediatric population.

BACKGROUND: Stereophotogrammetry (SPG) provides a more objective measurement of burn wound area than traditional clinical assessments. The recently developed Intel® RealSense™ D415/Wound Measure SPG system has yet to undergo formal evaluation in a paediatric population. METHODS: A pilot study comparing the Intel® RealSense™ D415/Wound Measure to the previously validated LifeVizII®/DermaPix® SPG system, for burn assessment was conducted at a tertiary paediatric burn centre. Both systems were used to photograph and analyse the same acute wounds for each patient. Three independent raters measured wound area and perimeter. Level of agreement between systems and raters was estimated by calculating the intra-class correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Wound area measurements were completed in both systems for 25 burns from 13 patients (median age, 2 years). The participants were mainly female (n = 9), with a median TBSA-B of 9% (IQR 3-20%). There was strong agreement between the systems 0.757 (95% CI 0.521, 0.885, p < 0.001). Within each SPG system, there was excellent inter-rater reliability. CONCLUSION: The Intel® RealSense™ D415/Wound Measure system may be a viable addition to the clinician's toolkit in the assessment of paediatric burn wound area. As with other SPG systems, there were significant challenges measuring wounds to highly contoured surfaces.

Early non-excisional debridement of paediatric burns under general anaesthesia reduces time to re-epithelialisation and risk of skin graft.

Reported advantages of early excision for larger burn injuries include reduced morbidity, mortality, and hospital length of stay for adult burn patients. However, a paucity of evidence supports the best option for paediatric burns and the advantages of non-excisional (mechanical) debridement. Procedural sedation and analgesia in the emergency department is a popular alternative to debridement in operating theatres under general anaesthesia. This study aims to evaluate the association between early (< 24 h post-injury) non-excisional debridement under general anaesthesia with burn wound re-epithelialisation time and skin graft requirements. Cohort study of children younger than 17 years who presented with burns of five percent total body surface area or greater. Data from January 2013 to December 2019 were extracted from a prospectively collected state-wide paediatric burns' registry. Time to re-epithelialisation was tested using survival analysis, and binary logistic regression for odds of skin graft requirementto analyse effects of early non-excisional debridement in the operating theatre. Overall, 292 children met eligibility (males 55.5%). Early non-excisional debridement under general anaesthesia in the operating theatre, significantly reduced the time to re-epithelialisation (14 days versus 21 days, p = 0.029)) and the odds of requiring a skin graft in comparison to paediatric patients debrided in the emergency department under Ketamine sedation (OR: 6.97 (2.14-22.67), p < 0.001. This study is the first to demonstrate that early non-excisional debridement under general anaesthesia in the operating theatre significantly reduces wound re-epithelialisation time and subsequent need for a skin graft in paediatric burn patients. Analysis suggests that ketamine procedural sedation and analgesia in the emergency department used for burn wound debridement is not an effective substitute for debridement in the operating theatre.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials evaluating the efficacy of autologous skin cell suspensions for re-epithelialization of acute partial thickness burn injuries and split-thickness skin graft donor sites.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review evaluated the efficacy of autologous skin cell suspensions (ASCS) on the re-epithelialization of partial thickness burn injuries and skin graft donor site wounds. METHODS: Four databases (EMBASE, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, Web of Science), grey literature and select journal hand-searching identified studies from 1975 - 2020. Randomized trials evaluating partial thickness burn management with non-cultured ASCS compared to any other intervention were included. Time to re-epithelialization (TTRE) was the primary outcome. Three independent researchers completed screening, data extraction and certainty of evidence assessment using Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. RESULTS: Five trials (n = 347) reported on adults (2 trials) and children (1 trial) with burn wounds, and adults with donor site wounds (2 trials). The effect of ASCS compared to control on TTRE in adult burn wounds was not estimable. TTRE was shorter in pediatric burn wounds (SMD -1.75 [95% CI: -3.45 to -0.05]) and adult donor site wounds (SMD-5.71 [95% CI: -10.61 to-0.81]) treated with ASCS. The certainty of evidence was very low. CONCLUSION: Compared to standard care, ACSC may reduce pediatric partial thickness burn wound and adult split-thickness skin graft donor site TTRE. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42019133171.

Comparative effectiveness of Biobrane®, RECELL® Autologous skin Cell suspension and Silver dressings in partial thickness paediatric burns: BRACS randomised trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Mixed partial thickness burns are the most common depth of burn injury managed at a large Australian paediatric hospital specialty burns unit. Prolonged time until re-epithelialisation is associated with increased burn depth and scar formation. Whilst current wound management approaches have benefits such as anti-microbial cover, these are not without inherent limitations including multiple dressing changes. The Biobrane® RECELL® Autologous skin Cell suspension and Silver dressings (BRACS) trial aims to identify the most effective wound management approach for mixed partial thickness injuries in children. METHODS: All children presenting with an acute burn injury to the study site will be screened for eligibility. This is a single-centre, three-arm, parallel group, randomised trial. Children younger than 16 years, with burns ≥ 5% total body surface area involving any anatomical location, up to 48 h after the burn injury, and of a superficial partial to mid-dermal depth, will be included. A sample size of 84 participants will be randomised to standard silver dressing or a Regenerative Epithelial Suspension (RES™) with Biobrane® or Biobrane® alone. The first dressing will be applied under general anaesthesia and subsequent dressings will be changed every 3 to 5 days until the wound is ≥ 95% re-epithelialised, with re-epithelialisation time the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes of acute pain, acute itch, scar severity, health-related quality of life, treatment satisfaction, dressing application ease and healthcare resource use will be assessed at each dressing change and 3, 6 and 12 months post-burn injury. DISCUSSION: The findings of this study can potentially change the wound management approach for superficial partial to mid-dermal burns in children locally and worldwide. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618000245291) approved prospective registration on 15 February 2018. Registration details can be viewed at https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=374272&isReview=true.

Left pulmonary artery bullet embolism following a penetrating cardiac gunshot injury.

INTRODUCTION: Bullet emboli occur when bullets migrate from an entry point to an abnormal endpoint via blood vessels or bowel. Most result from low-velocity, small calibre civilian gunshots. Although rare, when it does occur, it commonly embolises to the arterial system. Many times, these are amenable to removal and recovery. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a haemodynamically unstable polytrauma patient with a pulmonary artery projectile embolus following a penetrating trans-thoracic cardiac gunshot wound. CONCLUSION: A brief overview of the literature regarding bullet emboli is provided in light of this unusual case, focusing specifically on thoracic bullet emboli. A high index of suspicion should be raised when the number of entry and exit wounds are incongruent, bullet location does not align with anticipated trajectory, or serial radiographs demonstrate missile migration. Radiological evaluation and bullet retrieval are dependent on haemodynamic stability of the patient.

Nontraumatic Hemobilia in Children.

Nontraumatic hemobilia is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in children. In the developing world, infections and inflammation are the two most common causes. Two patients are presented illustrating the diagnostic difficulties. Following recognition of the site of bleeding the surgery was successful in each case. After a review of the literature, a diagnostic workup is proposed.

Blunt rupture of the right hemidiaphragm with herniation of the right colon and right lobe of the liver.

Acute right hemidiaphragm rupture with abdominal visceral herniation is reportedly less common than on the left. We present a complex case of blunt rupture of the right hemidiaphragm with herniation of the right colon and right lobe of the liver in a multiply injured patient. The diagnostic approach, with specific reference to the imaging studies, and surgical management is discussed, followed by a brief literature review highlighting the complexities of the case.