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Background: Several studies have shown that the application of amniotic membrane as a biological dressing in the management of burns is accompanied by rapid re-epithelialisation. In this follow-up study, we aimed to evaluate the possible role of amniotic membrane as an adjunct to split thickness skin grafting on reducing itching and severity of hypertrophic scar formation. Materials and Methods: From October 2013 to January 2015, in a prospective follow-up study, 54 patients (108 limbs) with second and third degree burns, covering 4%-15% of total body surface area (TBSA), were included in the study. All patients needed split-thickness skin grafts for burn-wound coverage. Selected patients had symmetric burns on two (upper or lower) extremities. Then, in every patient, the extremities were randomly divided into two groups: In one limb, the skin graft was traditionally fixed with skin staples (control group) and in the other limb, the skin graft was covered with an amniotic membrane (amnion group). Therefore, in every patient, the graft was covered with an amniotic membrane in one extremity and fixed with skin staples in the other extremity. Finally, after 6 months, the degree of itching and hypertrophic scar formation was compared between the two groups. Results: The study group was composed of 108 limbs in 54 patients (27 males and 27 females) with a mean age of 23.54 ± 4.9 years and burn 9.03 ± 2.69% TBSA. The patients were divided into two groups: 54 limbs in amnion group and 54 limbs in control group. In 59.25% of the cases, patient had less itching in the extremity covered with amniotic membrane. Furthermore, in 64.81% of the cases, patients had less hypertrophic scar formation in the extremity covered with amniotic membrane. These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Amniotic membrane used as an adjunct in split thickness skin grafting is a novel modality which significantly reduces scar formation and itching that can be greatly distressing to burn patients. However, still more prospective well designed studies are needed to prove it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most important Gram negative opportunistic bacteria which causes infection among burn patients. Resistance to the antibiotics in this group of bacteria is increased due to the activity of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBLs) genes. In the current study, we investigated the prevalence of two genes (blaPER-1 & blaOxa10) related β-lactamase genes among imipenem resistance clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa in hospitalized patients. Materials and Methods: From May 2010 to March 2011, 270 P. aeruginosa isolated from hospitalized burned patients' wounds in Shiraz Burn Hospital, were tested for Imipenem resistance by disk diffusion method. Presence of ESBLs exo-enzyme, blaPER-1 and blaOxa10 genes were also evaluated in the resistant isolate. Results: 210 (77.7%) of 270 P. aeruginosa isolates were resistant to imipenem. blaPER-1 and blaOxa10 were detected among 168 (80.0%) of imipenem resistant isolates. Furthermore, 160 (76.2%) of them had blaOxa10 gene and 84 (40.0%) of them had blaPER-1 while 63 (30.0%) resistant isolates contained both genes simultaneously. Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of blaPER-1 and blaOxa10 genes in hospitalized burn patients in south west of Iran. Therefore, it's highly recommended to perform such tests routinely to evaluate the resistance pattern in order to better antibiotic selection in the burned patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies have shown that the application of amniotic membrane as a biological dressing in the management of burns is accompanied by rapid re-epithelialisation and healing as it diminishes the oozing of plasma, bacterial count and fluid, protein and heat loss. This study evaluates the effect of amniotic membrane on graft take in split-thickness skin graft of extremity burns. Methods: From October 2008 to January 2010, in a prospective clinical trial, 54 patients (108 limbs) with second and third degree burns, covering 4-15% of total body surface area (TBSA), were included in this study. All patients needed split-thickness skin grafts for burn-wound coverage. Selected patients had symmetric burns on two (upper or lower) extremities. Then in every patient, the extremities were randomly divided into two groups: in one limb, the skin graft was traditionally fixed with skin staples (control group) and in the other limb the skin graft was covered with an amniotic membrane (amnion group). Therefore, in every patient the graft was covered with an amniotic membrane in one extremity and fixed with skin staples in the other extremity. Finally, the duration and success rate of complete graft take was compared between the two groups. Results: The study group was composed of 108 limbs in 54 patients (27 males and 27 females) with a mean age of 23.54 ± 4.9 years and burn 9.03 ± 2.69% TBSA. The mechanism of burn was flame (63%), scald (18.5%) and flash (18.5%). The rate of complete graft take was 96.76% and 88.79% in the amnion group and in the control group, respectively. The mean duration of graft take was 6.98 ± 1.35 days in the amnion group and 13.9 ± 1.66 days in the control group. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Our results show that although the amniotic membrane has no negative impact on graft take, it significantly reduces the duration of complete graft take, which is very important for both the patient and the health-care system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Severe burns are associated with dramatic outcomes which are potentially detrimental. Nowadays the standard treatment for deep partial thickness and full-thickness burn is early excision and grafting, which is not always feasible this leads to chronicity and microbial colonization of burn wounds. Interesting properties of hydrogen peroxide 2% soaked gauze convinced us to use it in management of chronic burn wounds. Methods: From January 2009 to September 2011, in a prospective clinical trial, 49 patients (98 limbs) with chronic-colonized burn wounds in both limbs were included in this study. Tissue cultures were taken from all the wounds. For the right, after debridement of granulation tissue and washing with hydrogen peroxide 2% soaked gauze for 5 min followed by normal saline irrigation, grafting was done; debridement and skin grafting was performed in the conventional method in left limb wounds. The success rate of graft take was compared between two groups, after 21 days by the surgeon using the formula:. Grafttake surface area (cm²) x 100%/ Total grafted area (cm²) Results: The study group was composed of 98 limbs in 49 patients with mean age of 26.44 ± S.66 and burn in 28.3 ± 7.23% TBSA. The most common causes of the burn wounds chronicity was delayed admission associated with poor compliance. (44.8%) Staphylococcus was the most frequent isolate bacterial wounds colonization in our patients. (59.2%) Mean graft take was 82.85% in right limbs, and 65.61% in left limbs; which was significantly different (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our study showed that, administration of hydrogen peroxide intraoperatively appears to be safe and significantly increases the mean success rate graft take in chronic- colonized wounds. Therefore, it can be recommended in management of chronic burn wounds management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Burns are among the most devastating forms of injury. Nowadays the standard treatment for deep partial thickness and full-thickness burn is early excision and grafting, but this technique is not always feasible; and this leads to chronicity and microbial colonization of burn wounds. Interesting properties of human amniotic membrane made us use it in management of chronic infected burn wounds. Methods: From January 2008 to September 2010, in a prospective clinical trail, 38 patients (76 limbs) with symmetric chronic burn wounds in both upper or lower limbs included in this study. Tissue cultures were taken from all the wounds. For the right, after debridement of granulation tissue and meshed split thickness skin grafting, the graft surfaces were covered with amniotic membrane dressing and in left limb wounds, after debridement, skin grafting was done in conventional method. 21days later, the success rate of graft take was compared between two groups. Results: The study group was composed of 76 limbs in 38 patients with mean age of 27.18±6.38 and burn in 29.18±7.23 TBSA%. The most common causes of the burn wounds chronicity in the selected patients was delayed admission due to poor compliance of the patients (44.8%). Staphylococcus was the most frequent isolate in wounds in our patients (62.85%). Mean graft take was observed in 90.13% of right upper limbs, and 67.36% of left upper limbs; which was significantly different (P <0.001). Conclusions: Our study showed that human amniotic membrane dressing significantly increases the success rate of graft take in chronic wounds, and it can be recommended as an important dressing in chronic burn wounds management, due to interesting anti-microbial, and better graft take effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Administration of albumin for burn patients and its effects on mortality and morbidity has been debated for along time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of albumin administration on wound healing, length of hospital stay, weight change, and mortality of burn patients. Methods: Two matched groups of patients from Shiraz Burn Care Center were randomly selected. The patients in one group received parenteral albumin in addition to high protein diet and the other group received only high protein diet. The length of hospital stay, healing time, mortality, serum albumin, transferrin levels, and weight loss were compared. Results: A total of 141 patients were selected; 71 patients in control group and 70 patients in albumin group. There were no significant differences in mortality (P=0.97), length of hospital stay (P=0.45), and healing time (P=0.25) in two groups. The patients who survived had significantly higher serum transferrin level (128 mg/dL versus 102 mg/dL). Conclusion: Parenteral albumin administration did not have a significant effect on mortality, length of hospital stay, and healing time in burn patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Burns are among the most common traumas in developing countries, which consume large amounts of medical resources. It is important to find an appropriate material for dressing of burn wounds that improves healing and is readily available, easily applicable, and economical. Methods: In a single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial from March to October 2006, 211 patients with less than 20% burn were enrolled into two groups. The first group contained 104 patients with average burn of 11.90±3.80% of total body surface area (TBSA) for whom amnion dressing was used. The second group composed of 107 patients with average burn of 12.30±4.14% of TBSA treated with routine silver sulfadiazine dressing. Results: Amniotic membrane usage was accompanied by acceleration in wound healing, less need for skin graft, and less pain. The mean healing time in superficial parts of burn wounds in the amnion group was significantly shorter than the control group (9.50±2.13 v 14.30±2.60 days; P value < 0.01). The extent of the wound with granulation tissue which needed skin graft was less in the amnion group (2.10 ±2.21% v 4.2 0±1.44%; P value < 0.01). Conclusion: Widespread use of amniotic membrane dressing is recommended for limited burn wound management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the high rates of burn injuries in patients with epilepsy, it is crucial to evaluate the epidemiological factors, etiology, types of burns, and outcome of these certain individuals and to enhance knowledge about the possible risks of epilepsy-related burns by preventive actions and programs. Our retrospective study was carried out from September 2013 to February 2017 in Amir-al Momenin Hospital, a tertiary referral burns and plastic surgery healthcare center. Because of the fact that a number of patients with burns had experienced their trauma at the time of convulsion or in postconvulsion phase, it is necessary to evaluate the outcome, burn patterns, etiology of injury, and related epidemiological factors in order to develop a greater understanding of possible risks of epilepsy-related burns by preventive actions and programs. In our study, 2715 patients who referred to burn centers and hospitalized with a mean age of 26.838 (standard deviation (SD) = 21.186) were enrolled, in which 29 patients were involved in burn accidents due to epilepsy and seizure, resulting in a 1.1% epilepsy incidence in these individuals. In patients with seizure disorder, there was a mean rate of 5.8 (SD = 1.923) cases per year. Eighteen (62.1%) were male, and 11 (37.9%) were female. There were no cases of seizure-induced burn injury in pediatrics (< 15 years) in our study. Among the patients with seizure-induced burns, 11 (out of 1101; 37.9%) were from rural areas, while 18 (out of 1570; 62.1%) were from urban locations. The occurrence of accidents due to seizure was also categorized based on the season, with the highest occurrence during winter (12 out of 683; 41.4%) and lowest during spring (3 out of 659; 10.3%). The mechanism of burn in patients with seizures was also documented, in which 12 (41.4%) were due to liquid, 12 (41.4%) due to fire, 1 (3.4%) due to explosion, and 1 (3.4%) due to other objects. Out of patients with seizure-induced burns, 21 (72.4%) were discharged, 2 released with their own will, 1 was transferred, and 5 (17.2%) died in the course of hospitalization. This study demonstrates that burn injuries by epilepsy are a public health concern in low- and middle-income countries. Therefore, we suggest the execution of a strong national epilepsy preventive actions and programs, as well as proper education for both medical practitioners and patients of the possible dangers as part of an injury control program. • 1.1% of burn incidents were due to epilepsy and seizure. • Among the epilepsy-induced burn injuries, a mortality of 17.2% was observed. • Children are at a lower risk of developing epilepsy-induced burn injuries. • Preventive programs are required to reduce burn injuries in patients with epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Preserving function of the hand is the aim of treatment in burned hands; appropriate splinting is one of the important measures during acute and chronic treatment. We introduce an effective safe method for positioning of fingers without violating the joints; In this method before performing skin graft for palmar finger burn or contracture release we suture tip of finger with silk 2–0 and fix it to dorsum of hand while extending the finger and for preventing slipping we insert some pulley like circles tied with silk 2–0 fixing over dorsum of mid phalanx. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Burns are the most common and destructive injuries in across of the world and especially in developing countries. Nevertheless, a standard tool for collecting the data of burn injury has not been developed yet. The purpose of this study was to develop a minimum data set (MDS) of the information management system for burns in Iran. Materials and methods This descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed in 2014. Data were collected from hospitals affiliated with Hormozgan and Iran University of Medical Sciences and medical documents centers, emergency centers and legal medicine centers located in Bandar Abbas city, in addition to internet access and library. Investigated documents were burn injury records in 2013, and documents that retrieved from the internet, and printed materials. Records were selected randomly based on T20-T29 categories from ICD-10. Data were collected using a checklist. In order to make a consensus about the data elements the decision Delphi technique was applied using a questionnaire. The content validity and reliability of questionnaire were assessed by expert's opinions and test–retest method, respectively. Results An MDS of burns was developed. This MDS divided into two categories: administrative and clinical with six and 17 section and 161 and 311 data elements respectively. Conclusions This study showed that comprehensive and uniform data elements about burns do not exist in Iran. Therefore a MDS was developed for burns in Iran. Development of an MDS will result in standardization and effective management of the data through providing uniform and comprehensive data elements for burns. Thus, comparability of the extracted information from different analyses and researches will be possible in various levels. In addition, establishment of policies and prevention and control of burns will be possible, which results in the improvement of the quality of care and containment of costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]