Ecthyma gangrenosum following toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome in a 3-year-old boy-a survivable series of events.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome (TENS) is a severe but rare skin reaction leading to epidermal desquamation of greater than 30% of the TBSA. It is most commonly precipitated by the administration of medication. Frequent complications of this syndrome include local wound infections, respiratory, mucocutaneous, and ocular complications. Ecthyma gangrenosum (EG) is a rare disease characterized by a milliary seeding of the cutaneous tissue with Gram-negative bacteria; it is most commonly seen in immunocompromised individuals. Here we report a 3-year-old boy who developed EG subsequent to TENS. Although he had a complicated and prolonged hospital course, he survived these series of events. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of TENS/EG in the pediatric population, and the first report of survivability following these illnesses.

A silver-coated antimicrobial barrier dressing used postoperatively on meshed autografts: a dressing comparison study.

In an effort to optimize the management of freshly grafted burn wounds, a silver-coated, low-adherence dressing, Acticoat (Smith & Nephew Inc., Largo, FL), was compared with 5% sulfamylon-soaked Exu-Dry burn wound dressings. Twenty subjects admitted to the Loyola University Medical Center were randomized to either Acticoat dressings or 5% sulfamylon-soaked burn wound dressings. Dressings were applied immediately after grafting in the operating room. Acticoat dressings were left in place for 3 days and then changed every 3 days thereafter. Sulfamylon-soaked dressings were changed at 48 hours and then every day. Subjects continued to have dressing changes on a twice-daily basis to wounds that were not grafted managed. Subjects were assessed for graft take, time to wound healing, and the number of dressings required until healing. Hospital charges and labor costs were retrospectively tabulated, yielding an expense estimate for each group. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to age, %TBSA, %TBSA of the grafted test sites, graft take, time to graft healing, or infectious complications. The median number of dressing changes to the test site was significantly less in the Acticoat group (P < .05). The average expense per dressing change was not significantly different between the two groups; however, the average total expense per patient was significantly lower for the Acticoat group because of the reduced number of dressing changes. Acticoat and 5% sulfamylon-soaked burn wound dressings were equivalent with respect to wound healing and infectious complications. The use of Acticoat was found to be a safe alternative to the use of 5% sulfamylon as a postsurgical dressing in this group of subjects. Because of the reduced number of dressing changes, the use of Acticoat was a less expensive alternative to 5% sulfamylon dressing changes in this study.

The evolving characteristics and care of necrotizing soft-tissue infections.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing soft-tissue infections such as necrotizing fasciitis and Fournier's gangrene are a source of high morbidity and mortality. These difficult cases are increasingly being referred to burn centers for specialized wound and critical care issues. In this study, we examine our institution's recent experience with a large series of necrotizing soft-tissue infections. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review was performed of 65 consecutive patients over a 5-year period with necrotizing soft-tissue infections that required radical surgical debridement. RESULTS: Overall survival was 83%, with an average length of stay of 32.4+/-3.32 days for survivors and for the entire group of 29.5+/-3 days. Time from onset of symptoms to initial presentation to our institution averaged 6.9+/-1.19 days. Patients averaged 2.9+/-0.22 surgical procedures, and 46% of patients required skin grafting with an average graft area of 1554+/-248 cm(2). Of the survivors, only 54% were able to return home, with 46% needing further hospitalization or transfer to an inpatient rehabilitation facility. CONCLUSIONS: There were frequent delays in diagnosis and referrals to and from within our institution, and progress can be made in educating the medical community to identify these patients. Advancements in wound care and critical care have made inroads into the treatment of patients with necrotizing soft-tissue infections. However, these infections continue to be a source of high morbidity and mortality and significant healthcare resource consumption. These challenging patients are best served with prompt diagnosis, immediate radical surgical debridement, and aggressive critical care management. Referral to a major burn center may help provide optimal surgical intervention, wound care, and critical care management.

Physiologic response to burn injury.

The physiologic response to bum injury is complex. Understanding the various components is important for the care and treatment of the critically injured bum patient. Because these injuries are nondiscriminatory and occur across the lifespan, patient characteristics and responses are highly variable. This diversity allows the critical care nurse to use a wide array of clinical skills. Care of the bum patient is rewarding because the critical care nurse plays an important role from the acute phase through the rehabilitative phase of injury.