Surgical excision of the burn wound

Current Approaches to Wound Repair in Burns: How far Have we Come From Cover to Close? A Narrative Review

Burn injuries are a significant global health concern, with more than 11 million people requiring medical intervention each year and approximately 180,000 deaths annually. Despite progress in health and social care, burn injuries continue to result in socioeconomic burdens for victims and their families. The management of severe burn injuries involves preventing and treating burn shock and promoting skin repair through a two-step procedure of covering and closing the wound. Currently, split-thickness/full-thickness skin autografts are the gold standard for permanent skin substitution. However, deep burns treated with split-thickness skin autografts may contract, leading to functional and appearance issues. Conversely, defects treated with full-thickness skin autografts often result in more satisfactory function and appearance. The development of tissue-engineered dermal templates has further expanded the scope of wound repair, providing scar reductive and regenerative properties that have extended their use to reconstructive surgical interventions. Although their interactions with the wound microenvironment are not fully understood, these templates have shown potential in local infection control. This narrative review discusses the current state of wound repair in burn injuries, focusing on the progress made from wound cover to wound closure and local infection control. Advancements in technology and therapies hold promise for improving the outcomes for burn injury patients. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of wound repair and tissue regeneration may provide new insights for developing more effective treatments in the future.

Surgical Excision of Burn Wounds

Burn injuries affect patients of all ages, and timely surgical debridement and excision commence to protect dermal vascularity and integrity, improve healing, and minimize scarring. Several tools may be used for burn wound excision, which is performed either tangentially or down to muscular fascia. Once wounds are optimized from a tissue viability and healing standpoint, coverage may be obtained through grafts or secondary intention healing for more superficial injuries. A collaborative team of plastic and general surgeons, anesthesiologists, nutritionists, and therapists can provide improved patient care throughout the perioperative period, leading to improvements in overall patient morbidity and mortality.

An Introduction to Burn Care: The Sequel

GENERAL PURPOSE

To review burn care, with an emphasis on burn-specific issues and treatment.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES

After participating in this educational activity, the participant will:1. Select the appropriate treatment guidelines for patients who have burn injuries.2. Identify common complications of major burns.3. Choose the recommended pharmacologic approaches to burn care.

Preservation of Eschar Prevents Excessive Wound Healing by Reducing M2 Macrophages Polarization

Background

Removal of the eschar has gradually become a consensus on treatments of deep dermal necrosis after skin trauma in recent years, whereas exaggerated scar contracture and tissue proliferation developed during healing have received little attention. Here, the authors investigated the effects of eschar on excessive wound healing of small dermal damage and focused on the role M2 macrophages played, hoping to offer a theoretical basis to improve patients' cosmetic satisfaction.

Methods

A mouse dorsal wound model (n = 12) was established by electric heating pads heating for 20 seconds on each side of the spine, and the left side was the preserved group. Macrophage numbers, expression of wound-healing-associated proteins, and inflammatory cytokine levels were assessed at different time points by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. A co-culture system of M2 macrophages and myofibroblasts was created in vitro. Immunohistochemistry, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot were performed to evaluate the proliferation, migration, and protein expression of myofibroblasts.

Results

Preserving eschar inhibited contraction-associated proteins (α-smooth muscle actin and vimentin) and collagen expression, inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, IL-10, TFN-α, and IL-4) expression, and M2 macrophage infiltration. Mechanistically, M2 macrophages potentially contributed to excessive wound healing by promoting myofibroblasts proliferation, migration, and production of contraction-associated proteins.

Conclusion

Eschar preservation in wounds could reduce inflammation and negatively modulate myofibroblasts by inhibiting M2 macrophage polarization and infiltration, preventing excessive wound contraction and collagen deposition.

Outcome of Facial Burn Injuries Treated by a Nanofibrous Temporary Epidermal Layer

BACKGROUND

The face is commonly affected in thermal injuries, with a demand for proper recognition and the correct choice of treatment to guarantee optimal aesthetic and functional outcomes. It is highly vascularized and often heals conservatively, highlighting the particular relevance of conservative treatment modalities, many of which require daily re-applications or dressing changes, which can be painful and tedious for both the patient and the healthcare providers. Motivated by encouraging results of a novel temporary nanofibrous epidermal layer, we herein present a case series of this technology in a case series of patients suffering from facial burns and treated in our Burn Center.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with superficial partial-thickness facial burns and mixed pattern burns, which were treated with SpinCare™, an electrospun nanofibrous temporary epidermal layer, between 2019 and 2021, at our institution were analyzed retrospectively. The Manchester scar scale (MSS) and numeric rating scale (NRS) were used for scar, pain, and outcome evaluation at different time points by five independent board-certified plastic surgeons with profound experience in burn surgery.

RESULTS

Ten patients (m = 9; f = 1) were treated and evaluated retrospectively. The mean age was 38.8 ± years (SD ± 17.85). The mean healing time was 6.4 days (SD ± 1.56). The mean follow-up was 16.4 months (SD ± 11.33). The mean MSS score was 5.06 (SD ± 1.31), and the mean NRS Score for pain was significantly reduced from initially 7 to 0.875 upon application (mean (pre-application) 7 ± 0.7 and (application) 0.875 ± 1.26; p ≤ 0.0001). Patients reported a NRS score of 10 in terms of functional and cosmetic outcomes at their final follow-up appointment. No adverse effects were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of a nanofibrous temporary epidermal layer such as SpinCare™ represents a relatively easy-to-use, well-tolerated, and effective alternative for the treatment of partial-thickness facial burns.

Reducing Blood Loss in a Burn Care Unit: A Review of Its Key Determinants

Patients with a major burn injury differ considerably from the typical critical ill and trauma population. Very often, burn patients suffer from anemia throughout their hospital stay. This is caused both by combination of persistent blood loss with decreased erythropoiesis. Therefore, burn patients do have major transfusion requirements. However, transfusion is not devoid of risks or costs. We hereby review the best surgical techniques and medical approaches, aiming to reduce blood loss in a burn patient and optimize red cell production, so that we can reduce the need of RBC transfusion. The implementation of a combination of surgical techniques aiming to reduce blood loss and medical care approaches to prevent anemia, rather than single attitudes, should be adopted in burn care. There is an urgent need for clear guidelines that can easily be accepted, applied, and spread across different burn units to methodically implement measures to reduce blood loss and transfusion needs, and ultimately improve burn patients' outcome and the health care financial status.

Synergistic Use of Novel Technological Advances in Burn Care Significantly Reduces Hospital Length of Stay Below Predicted: A Case Series

Length of stay is an important metric in healthcare systems, primarily because it reflects the cost of care provided. In the US, as in many countries, inpatient hospital stays are significantly more expensive than outpatient care across all healthcare conditions [1], so earlier discharge and transition to outpatient care is crucial to help control the ever-increasing cost of healthcare. In burn patients, length of stay has traditionally been estimated at 1 day per 1% total body surface area of burn. This estimation was first described in a round table discussion in 1986.[2] However, since that time there has been significant evolution in the quality of care available to burn patients, in both the operating room and ICU. The use of new harvesting techniques, synthetic dermal substitution, and autologous epidermal skin cell suspension are allowing large, deep burns to be excised and covered in much quicker time frames than historically were possible. Examples include the skin harvesting and wound debridement device for grafting and excision, biodegradable temporizing matrix as a fully synthetic dermal template, and regenerative epidermal suspension concerning cell harvesting. Although these modalities can all be used separately, we believe that using them in conjunction has allowed us to shorten the length of stay in patients with severe partial and full-thickness burns. We present an initial case series of 3 patients with anticipated hospital lengths of stay of 54.5, 55, and 51 days, who were ready for discharge in 37, 35, and 43 days, respectively.

Acute Management of Thermal Hand Burns in Adults: A 10-Year Review of the Literature

INTRODUCTION

Advances in the evidence base of acute thermal hand burns help to guide the management of these common injuries. The aim of this literature review was to evaluate recent evidence in the field over 10 years.

METHODS

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols methodology was used as a guide for this literature review. PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Google Scholar were searched for English language articles related to hand burns published between 2009 and 2018 inclusive, and the Cochrane Library was reviewed. Exclusion criteria were as follows: participants younger than 18 years, scar or contracture management, rehabilitation, outcomes assessment, late reconstruction, and electrical or chemical burns.

RESULTS

An initial search retrieved 6493 articles, which was narrowed to 403 full-text articles that were reviewed independently by 3 of the authors and categorized. Of 202 included articles, there were 8 randomized controlled trials and 2 systematic reviews. Six evidence-based guidelines were reviewed. Referral of hand burns to specialist centers, use of telemedicine, early excision and grafting, and immediate static splintage have been recommended. Enzymatic debridement results in earlier intervention, more accurate burn assessment, preservation of vital tissue, and fewer skin grafts, and ideally requires regional anesthesia. Guidance on escharotomy emphasizes indication, technique and adequate intervention, and potential for enzymatic debridement. Inclusion of topical negative pressure, dermal regenerative templates, acellular dermal matrices, and noncellular skin substitutes in management has helped improve scar and functional outcomes.

DISCUSSION

The results of this literature review demonstrate that multiple national and international societies have published burns guidelines during the decade studied, with aspects directly relevant to hand burns, including the International Society for Burn Injuries guidelines. There are opportunities for evidence-based quality improvement across the field of hand burns in many centers.

CONCLUSIONS

More than 200 articles globally in 10 years outline advances in the understanding of acute management of thermal hand burns. Incorporating the evidence base into practice may facilitate optimization of triage referral pathways and acute management for hand burns.

Accelerated Wound Closure of Deep Partial Thickness Burns with Acellular Fish Skin Graft

Thermal injuries are caused by exposure to a variety of sources, and split thickness skin grafts are the gold standard treatment for severe burns; however, they may be impossible when there is no donor skin available. Large total body surface area burns leave patients with limited donor site availability and create a need for treatments capable of achieving early and complete coverage that can also retain normal skin function. In this preclinical trial, two cellular and tissue based products (CTPs) are evaluated on twenty-four 5 × 5 deep partial thickness (DPT) burn wounds. Using appropriate pain control methods, DPT burn wounds were created on six anesthetized Yorkshire pigs. Wounds were excised one day post-burn and the bleeding wound beds were subsequently treated with omega-3-rich acellular fish skin graft (FSG) or fetal bovine dermis (FBD). FSG was reapplied after 7 days and wounds healed via secondary intentions. Digital images, non-invasive measurements, and punch biopsies were acquired during rechecks performed on days 7, 14, 21, 28, 45, and 60. Multiple qualitative measurements were also employed, including re-epithelialization, contraction rates, hydration, laser speckle, and trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). Each treatment produced granulated tissue (GT) that would be receptive to skin grafts, if desired; however, the FSG induced GT 7 days earlier. FSG treatment resulted in faster re-epithelialization and reduced wound size at day 14 compared to FBD (50.2% vs. 23.5% and 93.1% vs. 106.7%, p < 0.005, respectively). No differences in TEWL measurements were observed. The FSG integrated into the wound bed quicker as evidenced by lower hydration values at day 21 (309.7 vs. 2500.4 µS, p < 0.05) and higher blood flow at day 14 (4.9 vs. 3.1 fold change increase over normal skin, p < 0.005). Here we show that FSG integrated faster without increased contraction, resulting in quicker wound closure without skin graft application which suggests FSG improved burn wound healing over FBD.

Management of bacterial skin and skin structure infections with polymicrobial etiology

INTRODUCTION

Skin and Soft Tissue Infections (SSTIs) are some of the most commonly occurring bacterial infections, with a wide range of possible etiological pathogens and a considerable variety of clinical presentations and severity; from mild to severe life-threatening infections. Several classifications have been proposed based on a specific variable, such as anatomical localization, skin extension, progression rate, clinical presentation, severity, and etiological agent. Areas covered: The last criteria allows the differentiation of SSTIs as monomicrobial and polymicrobial. Among them, especially those infections with a long lasting or chronic course can be sustained by multiple microbial etiology. Most polymicrobial SSTIs can be included in the following: diabetes foot infections (DFIs), pressure ulcers infection, burn infection, and infected chronic ulcers. Expert commentary: The medical management of these infections comprises the administration of wide a spectrum antibiotic, taking into consideration the frequent occurrence of multidrug resistant microorganisms as responsible agents. An appropriate deep tissue specimen for microbiological examination is a very important issue, especially for polymicrobial infections, sometimes permitting the distinction between real pathogens and contaminants avoiding more complex antibiotic treatments. This aspect must be strongly emphasized, as frequently superficial swabs remain the specimen of choice because they are easy to obtain.

[Long-term strategy of the initial management of facial burns: About 3 cases]

INTRODUCTION

The management of facial burns in their acute stage determines most of the sequelae aspect. An initial treatment of good quality should reduce and even prevent scar ransom and should not compromise potential future corrections. This treatment is based on the respect of facial surgery standards and on the use of some particular technical points.

CASE REPORTS

We described our surgical protocol through three case reports. We are performing a surgical excision of the unhealed lesions between the 12th and 15th postburn day. This excision is followed by a dermoepidermal skin graft in the same operative time. This graft must be harvested from the scalp every time it is possible and must be manually perforated. All the aesthetic units junctions are necessarily respected. Flaps can be necessary at this stage.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The long-term functional and cosmetic results observed in patients with facial burns vary a lot depending on the initial treatment. Patients with severe burns that benefited from an appropriate initial treatment may thus present better results than patients with less severe burns who were badly treated.

Comparative Analysis of Early Excision and Grafting vs Delayed Grafting in Burn Patients in a Developing Country

The present study attempts to compare how the patients who undergo early excision and grafting behave as compared with patients who are treated along usual conservative lines of management in centers where the resources are less than optimal. The data of 20 female patients were analyzed. Age of the patients ranged between 20 and 30 years, percentage area burn ranged between 20 and 40%, and percentage area resurfaced by skin grafting 5 to 10%. The patients were divided into two groups of 10 patients each. Group I included those patients who underwent early excision and grafting within 5 days of burn injury. Group II included those patients who were treated conservatively and the residual raw area was grafted 3 weeks or more after sustaining the burn. The two groups were compared for the amount of blood loss, transfusion requirement, graft take, and the total hospital stay. Statistical significance was tested by the application of Mann-Whitney U test. The mean percentage area burn was 29.1 ± 5.6% in group I and 24.7 ± 4.9% in group II. Mean percentage area resurfaced by skin grafting in group I was 9.4 ± 2.3% and 8.1 ± 1.6% in group II. Graft take in group I was 90 ± 7.8%, whereas that in group II was 95 ± 6.7%. Mean blood loss in group I and group II was 346 ± 17.6 ml and 241 ± 14.7 ml respectively. (P = .001). Mean transfusion requirement in the perioperative period was 1.6 pints in group I and 1.1 pints in group II. The mean hospital stay in the patients who underwent early excision and grafting was 15.1 ± 4.1 days, whereas that in the patients who underwent delayed grafting was 36.2 ± 6.3 days (P = .001). Early excision and grafting decreases the hospital stay of burn patients. The present study suggests that it has a definite applicability even in places where the resources might be less than optimal.

Burn Wound Healing and Tissue Engineering

In 2016 the American Burn Association held a State of the Science conference to help identify burn research priorities for the next decade. The current paper summarizes the work of the sub-committee on Burn Wound Healing and Tissue Engineering. We first present the priorities in wound healing research over the next 10 years. We then summarize the current state of the science related to burn wound healing and tissue engineering including determination of burn depth, limiting burn injury progression, eschar removal, management of microbial contamination and wound infection, measuring wound closure, accelerating wound healing and durable wound closure, and skin substitutes and tissue engineering. Finally, a summary of the round table discussion is presented.

Surveillance of antibiotic susceptibility in a Swedish Burn Center 1994-2012

Patients with burn trauma are at risk for infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria (ABR) with subsequent increase in morbidity and mortality. As part of the Swedish strategic program against antibiotic resistance in intensive care (ICU-Strama), we have surveyed the distribution of species and ABR in isolates from patients admitted to a Swedish burn center at Linköping University Hospital from 1994 through 2012. In an international comparison Strama has been successful in reducing the antibiotic consumption among animals and humans in primary care. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibiotic consumption pressure and resistance rates in a Swedish burn unit.

METHODS

Microbiology data, total body surface area (TBSA), patient days, and mortality were collected from a hospital database for all patients admitted to the Burn Center at the University Hospital of Linköping from April 1994 through December 2012.

RESULTS

A total of 1570 patients were admitted with a mean annual admission rate of 83 patients (range: 57-152). 15,006 microbiology cultures (approximately 10 per patient) were collected during the study period and of these 4531 were positive (approximately 3 per patient). The annual mean total body surface area (TBSA) was 13.4% (range 9.5-18.5) with an annual mortality rate of 5.4% (range 1-8%). The MRSA incidence was 1.7% (15/866) which corresponds to an MRSA incidence of 0.34/1000 admission days (TAD). Corresponding figures were for Escherichia coli resistant to 3(rd) generation cephalosporins (ESBL phenotype) 8% (13/170) and 0.3/TAD, Klebsiella spp. ESBL phenotype 5% (6/134) and 0.14/TAD, carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa 26% (56/209) and 1.28/TAD, and carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter spp. 3% (2/64) and 0.04/TAD.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show a sustained low risk for MRSA and high, although not increasing, risk for carbapenem resistant P. aeruginosa.

Wound healing trajectories in burn patients and their impact on mortality

The rate of wound healing and its effect on mortality has not been well described. The objective of this article is to report wound healing trajectories in burn patients and analyze their effects on in-hospital mortality. The authors used software (WoundFlow) to depict burn wounds, surgical results, and healing progression at multiple time points throughout admission. Data for all patients admitted to the intensive care unit with ≥ 20% TBSA burned were collected retrospectively. The open wound size (OWS), which includes both unhealed burns and unhealed donor sites, was measured. We calculated the rate of wound closure (healing rate), which we defined as the change in OWS/time. We also determined the time delay (DAYS) from day of burn until day on which there was a reduction in OWS < 10%. Data are medians [interquartile range]. There were 38 patients with complete data; 25 had documentation of successful healing (H), and 13 did not (NH). H differed from NH on age (38 years [32-57] vs 63 [51-74]), body mass index (27 [21-28] vs 32 [19-52]), 24-hour fluid resuscitation (12 L [10-16] vs 18 [15-20]), pressors during first 48 hours (72% vs 100%), use of renal replacement therapy (32% vs 92%), and mortality (4% vs 100%). Repeated measures analysis of covariance showed a significant difference between survivors and nonsurvivors on OWS as a function of time (P<.001). Patients with a positive healing rate (+2%/day) after postburn day 20 had 100% survival whereas those with a negative healing rate (-2%/day) had 100% mortality. For H patients, median DAYS was 41 (28-54); median DAYS/TBSA was 1.3 (1.0-1.9). Survivors had a 0.62% drop in OWS/day, or 4.3%/week. In this cohort of patients with ≥ 20% TBSA, there was a difference in mortality after postburn day 20, between patients with a positive healing rate (+2%/day, 100% survival) and those with a negative healing rate (-2%/day, 100% mortality, P < .05).

Early Intervention for Low-Temperature Burns: Comparison between Early and Late Hospital Visit Patients

Background

Various focal heating devices are popular in Korea under the cultural influence of the traditional ondol under-floor method of home heating. These devices can cause severe burn-like injuries resulting from device malfunction or extended with low heat contact. In addition to injuries under these high heat contact, burns can be occurred by low heat exposure with prolonged periods despite the devices are properly functioning. In order to develop strategies to reduce the duration of periods of illness due to low-temperature burns, we analyzed and compared treatment methods and therapeutic periods for this type of injury.

Methods

This retrospective study included 43 patients burned under low heat conditions. Patients were divided into an operative group and a conservative group. The patients in the operative group underwent at least one surgical excision, and were further subdivided into early and late visit groups. The conservative group was treated only with dressings. We compared the treatment periods between the operative group and the conservative group, and also compared the preparation periods and treatment periods between the two operative groups.

Results

The average treatment period was significantly shorter in the operative group (P=0.02). In the early visit operative group, both wound preparation and treatment were briefer than in the late visit group.

Conclusions

We recommend that early proper burn care and early surgical intervention, including appropriate excision, are feasible ways to reduce the treatment period of low-temperature burn patients.

Skin regeneration: the complexities of translation into clinical practise

The integration of engineering into biological science has resulted in the capacity to provide tissue engineered solutions for tissue damage. Skin regeneration remains the goal of skin repair to reduce the long term consequences of scarring to the individual. A scar is abnormal in its architecture, chemistry and cell phenotype, tissue engineering of scaffolds and cells opens up the potential of tissue regeneration into the future. Tissue engineering solutions have been applied to skin many decades despite technical success the clinical application has been modest. To realise the potential of the developing technologies needs alignment of not only the science and engineering but also the commercial upscaling of production in a safe and regulated framework for clinical use. In addition the education and training for the introduction of new technology within the health system is essential, bringing together the technology and systems for utilisation to optimise the patient outcome. This article is part of a Directed Issue entitled: Regenerative Medicine: The challenge of translation.

Characteristics of burn deaths from 2003 to 2009 in a burn center: A retrospective study

Mortality remains one of the most important end-point quality control parameters to evaluate a burn care system. We retrospectively reviewed the characteristics and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) patterns of burn deaths in our center from January 2003 to December 2009. The mortality rate during this time period was 2.3%. Fifty-six patients died, including 49 males and 7 females. The mean survival time was 28.45 ± 24.60 days. The burn percentage was (76.70 ± 26.86) % total burn surface area (TBSA), with (27.74 ± 24.95) % deep-partial thickness burns and (46.88 ± 33.84) % full-thickness burns. Inhalation injury was diagnosed in 36 (64.29%) patients. Patients who had undergone an operation, particularly in the first week post-burn, had a significantly longer survival time. An average of 5.50 ± 1.35 malfunctioning organs per patient and a mean sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score of 13.91 ± 3.65 were observed. The most frequently malfunctioning organs were involved in the respiratory, hematologic, circulatory, and central nervous systems. Most of the organ damage occurred during the first week post-burn, followed by 4 weeks later, with relatively less organ damage observed in the third week. Among patients with a TBSA over 50%, non-survivors had larger burn sizes (particularly larger full-thickness burns) and a higher incidence of inhalation injury compared with survivors; non-survivors were also more likely to have microorganism-positive blood and sputum cultures. In conclusion, burn deaths are related to a higher burn percentage, inhalation injury, MODS, and infection. Early operation may help improve survival duration.

Severe burn injury, burn shock, and smoke inhalation injury in small animals. Part 2: diagnosis, therapy, complications, and prognosis

OBJECTIVE

To review the evaluation and treatment of patients suffering from severe burn injury (SBI), burn shock, and smoke inhalation injury. Potential complications and prognosis associated with SBI are also discussed.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis of burn injury and burn shock is based on patient history and clinical presentation. Superficial burn wounds may not be readily apparent for the first 48 h whereas more severe wounds will be evident at presentation. Patients are diagnosed with local or SBI by estimating total body surface area involved using the 'Rule of Nines' or the Lund-Browder chart adapted from the human literature.

THERAPY

Patients suffering from SBI require immediate and aggressive fluid therapy. Burn wounds require prompt cooling to prevent progressive tissue damage. Due to significant pain associated with burn wounds and therapeutic procedures, multimodal analgesia is recommended. Daily wound management including hydrotherapy, topical medications, and early wound excision and grafting is necessary with SBI.

COMPLICATIONS

There are numerous complications associated with SBI. The most common complications include infections, hypothermia, intra-abdominal hypertension, and abdominal compartment syndrome.

PROGNOSIS

The prognosis of SBI in domestic animals is unknown. Based on information derived from human literature, patients with SBI and concomitant smoke inhalation likely have a worse prognosis than those with SBI or smoke inhalation alone.

Alternative erythropoietin-mediated signaling prevents secondary microvascular thrombosis and inflammation within cutaneous burns

Alternate erythropoietin (EPO)-mediated signaling via the heteromeric receptor composed of the EPO receptor and the β-common receptor (CD131) exerts the tissue-protective actions of EPO in various types of injuries. Herein we investigated the effects of the EPO derivative helix beta surface peptide (synonym: ARA290), which specifically triggers alternate EPO-mediated signaling, but does not bind the erythropoietic EPO receptor homodimer, on the progression of secondary tissue damage following cutaneous burns. For this purpose, a deep partial thickness cutaneous burn injury was applied on the back of mice, followed by systemic administration of vehicle or ARA290 at 1, 12, and 24 h postburn. With vehicle-only treatment, wounds exhibited secondary microvascular thrombosis within 24 h postburn, and subsequent necrosis of the surrounding tissue, thus converting to a full-thickness injury within 48 h. On the other hand, when ARA290 was systemically administered, patency of the microvasculature was maintained. Furthermore, ARA290 mitigated the innate inflammatory response, most notably tumor necrosis factor-alpha-mediated signaling. These findings correlated with long-term recovery of initially injured yet viable tissue components. In conclusion, ARA290 may be a promising therapeutic approach to prevent the conversion of partial- to full-thickness burn injuries. In a clinical setting, the decrease in burn depth and area would likely reduce the necessity for extensive surgical debridement as well as secondary wound closure by means of skin grafting. This use of ARA290 is consistent with its tissue-protective properties previously reported in other models of injury, such as myocardial infarction and hemorrhagic shock.

Risk factors for nosocomial infection and mortality in burn patients: 10 years of experience at a university hospital

To evaluate the risk factors for nosocomial infection (NI) and mortality in a university hospital, 10-year data of burn patients were assessed retrospectively. The study was conducted at Erciyes University's Burn Center during 2000 and 2009. The records of 1190 patients were obtained. Overall, 131 (11%) patients had 206 NIs with an incidence density of 14.7 infections/1000 patient days. Burn wound infection (n = 109, 53%) was the most common NI. High (%TBSA burned) and late excision were found to be the most significant risk factors for the development of NI. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequent causative microorganism. However, the prevalence of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has increased in recent years with a prevalence of 47% in 2009. The carbapenem resistance of P. aeruginosa has decreased in recent years, whereas that of A. baumannii increased and it had a prevalence of 94% in the last year. Conversely, the most important risk factors for mortality were advanced age, high %TBSA and having an underlying disease. Prevention of NI is an important issue in burn units to reduce mortality rates. Early excision and wound closure are important therapeutic approaches for the prevention of burn wound infection.

Tissue engineering of skin

Each one of us is a self-organizing mass of multiple cell types. From fertilization of the embryo our tissue structures develop until an adult morphology is achieved. At that point our capacity for self-organization is directed to maintaining that morphology in the face of the insults of our daily life and the processes of aging. When a given insult overwhelms our capacity to repair by regeneration the result is scar repair.

Multidisciplinary team response to a mass burn casualty event: outcomes and implications

OBJECTIVES

To describe the characteristics of patients with burn injury admitted to a major trauma hospital in Melbourne following the Black Saturday bushfires of 7 February 2009, and to provide a detailed analysis of the hospital's response to the crisis.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A retrospective chart review of ambulance and hospital records of patients admitted to the Victorian Adult Burns Service (VABS) at The Alfred Hospital (The Alfred) following the bushfires.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Patient characteristics and outcomes: age, sex, total and full thickness body surface area burnt, type and site of burn, hospital and intensive care unit length of stay (LOS) and receipt of standard burn care practices. Estimated glomerular filtration rate, theatre time and LOS data for the bushfire cohort compared with corresponding data for historical cohorts from VABS and from a similar institution in New Zealand.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients were admitted to VABS over the first 48 hours after the bushfires. Of these, nine patients were subsequently admitted to The Alfred's intensive care unit. Most patients (74%) were men with a mean age of 52.7 years (SD, 12.4 years). Seventeen patients (89%) underwent at least one surgical procedure, which resulted in 4355 minutes of theatre time for the bushfire cohort in the first week. Hospital LOS was similar for the bushfire and New Zealand cohorts. Compared with the VABS historical cohort, there was a higher incidence of abnormal renal function among the bushfire cohort patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Although relatively few patients with severe burns were admitted to VABS, significant increases in resource allocation were required to manage them in terms of additional theatre time, consumables and staffing. The experience of VABS may aid planning for future mass burns casualty events.

Surgical burn wound infections and their clinical implications

Typically, burn wound infections are classified by the organisms present in the wound within the first several days after injury or later by routine surveillance cultures. With universal acceptance of early excision and grafting, classification of burn wound colonization in unexcised burn wounds is less relevant, shifting clinical significance to open burn-related surgical wound infections (SWIs). To better characterize SWIs and their clinical relevance, the authors identified the pathogens responsible for SWIs, their impact on rates of regrafting, and the relationship between SWI and nosocomial infection (NI) pathogens. Epidemiologic and clinical data for 71 adult patients with ≥ 20% TBSA burn were collected. After excision and grafting, if a grafted site had clinical characteristics of infection, a wound culture swab was obtained and the organism identified. Surveillance cultures were not obtained. SWI pathogen, anatomic location, postburn day of occurrence, and need for regrafting were compiled. A positive culture obtained from an isolated anatomic location at any time point after excision and grafting of that location was considered a distinct infection. Pathogens responsible for NIs (urinary tract infections, pneumonia, bloodstream and catheter-related bloodstream infections, pseudomembranous colitis, and donor site infections) and their postburn day were identified. The profiles of SWI pathogens and NI pathogens were then compared. Of the 71 patients included, 2 withdrew, 6 had no excision or grafting performed, and 1 had incomplete data. Of the remaining 62 patients, 24 (39%) developed an SWI. In these 24 patients, 70 distinct infections were identified, of which 46% required regrafting. Candida species (24%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22%), Serratia marcescens (11%), and Staphylococcus aureus (11%) comprised the majority of pathogens. Development of an SWI with the need for regrafting increased overall length of stay, area of autograft, number of operative events, and was closely associated with the number of NIs. The %TBSA burn and depth of the burn were the main risk factors for SWI with need for regrafting. The SWI pathogen was identified as an NI pathogen 56% of the time, with no temporal correlation between shared SWI and NI pathogens. SWIs are commonly found in severely burned patients and are associated with regrafting. As a result, patients with SWIs are subjected to increased operative events, autograft placement, and increased length of hospitalization. In addition, the presence of an SWI may be a risk factor for development of NIs.