1. The scourge of burn contractures: Who will bell the cat?
- Author
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Puri V, Shrotriya R, and Bachhav M
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Burn Units, Burns complications, Child, Child, Preschool, Cicatrix etiology, Clinical Competence, Compression Bandages statistics & numerical data, Contracture etiology, Disease Management, Early Medical Intervention statistics & numerical data, Education, Medical, Female, Humans, India, Infant, Male, Middle Aged, Physical Therapy Modalities statistics & numerical data, Retrospective Studies, Skin Transplantation statistics & numerical data, Splints statistics & numerical data, Young Adult, Burns therapy, Cicatrix therapy, Contracture prevention & control
- Abstract
Introduction: Majority of burn injuries occur in developing world. There have been many advances in burn care management. But this advance comes at a price of ever increasing burn sequel of scarring. Burn scar contractures, in spite of being preventable, continue to be a common reality in our world. This paper aims to evaluate the lacunae in burn care leading to formation of contractures, to evaluate common sites of contractures, practice of advising splintage and anti-deformity positioning., Procedure: This retrospective observational study was conducted over a period of six years (January 2010-December 2015) at a tertiary Burn unit in Mumbai (India). The records of burn contracture patients were scrutinized to obtain the data regarding patient's socio-demographic profile, details of burn injury, splinting and exercises advised and details of surgeries required. Data was tabulated and analysed., Results: There was a significantly lower prevalence of advice regarding splinting, mobilization exercises and pressure garments. The prevalence of early surgery was also found to be low., Conclusions: Attempt has been made to identify the factors affecting the prevalence of burn scar contractures. Authors recommend that efforts be made for improving the knowledge of the treating doctors. Also, efforts should be made to increase awareness of burn prevention and emergent management., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2019
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