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Introduction Recent advances in burn care have resulted in the transition of care from inpatient to outpatient. There is a growing appreciation that with improved survival, meaningful markers of quality need to include recovery of form, function, and reconstruction. Capture of the data describing care delivered in the outpatient setting is being missed. Methods Development of our outpatient database included providers, registrar, program manager, and outpatient nursing staff. Data points were included if they described the population, and epidemiology of our patients, were useful for programmatic changes and improvements as well as anticipated research focus areas. Results The database platform chosen was Midas+™ because it was in use by hospital quality and integrated with the electronic medical record. Fields were customized based on changing program needs and are updated for new programs or outcomes measures. Reports can be easily built and both outpatients and inpatients are included. This allows for longitudinal tracking of burn patients. Ongoing additions to original data points include variables to track outcomes related to laser therapy for scar management, time to custom garment donning, and to track functional outcomes. Epidemiologic data collected is used to target high-risk populations for prevention and outreach efforts. Outcome data is used for evaluation of programs and care. Conclusions High quality databases serve to measure effectiveness of care and offer insight for areas of improvement. There is a clear need for inclusion of outpatient activity in the National Burn Registry (NBR).

Introduction Patients with thermal burns become zinc deficient due to exudative losses, increased urinary excretion, and reduction of carrier proteins which results in impaired immunity, wound healing and glucose control. Previous trials have demonstrated improved wound healing utilizing fixed zinc supplementation, but none have assessed the potential benefits associated with normalizing serum zinc concentrations. The objective of this study was to compare the impact of zinc normalization on clinical outcomes in patients with severe thermal burns. Methods This retrospective, single-center study of patients with at least 10% total body surface area (TBSA) burn and three serum zinc concentrations compared the ratio of hospital length of stay (LOS) over TBSA burned (LOS/TBSA index) between those with normal (≥60 mcg/mL) and non-normal ( Results A total of 56 patients were included for evaluation (11 normal and 45 non-normal). Burn size was 20.5% TBSA [11–29] for those with normal zinc and 27.3% [22–36] for non-normal; number of grafts for each group was 1 [0–1] vs 2 [1–3] respectively. LOS/TBSA index did not differ significantly between groups (1.10 normal vs. 1.21 non-normal, unadjusted p = 0.69; p = 0.75 adjusting for number of grafts). Time to 90% epithelialization was reduced in the normal group (27.5 vs. 57 days, p = 0.02), but this did not remain statistically significant after adjustment for %TBSA and number of grafts (p = 0.18). The groups did not differ significantly in incidence of infection or hyperglycemia in either unadjusted or adjusted analyses. Conclusions This was the first study, to our knowledge, to assess the clinical impact of normalizing serum zinc levels in patients with severe burns. Our results suggest the normalization of serum zinc levels through individualized zinc supplementation is not associated with improvement in clinical outcomes during hospitalization and therefore fixed-dose zinc supplementation without acquisition of serum zinc measurements should be considered.

Anxiety is common among patients with burn injury, occurring frequently surrounding wound care. Few pharmacologic interventions targeting anxiety in burn injury have been evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate patient-controlled anxiolysis using dexmedetomidine (PCA-DEX) in patients undergoing burn dressing changes. This was a prospective, open-label, single-arm pilot study to determine the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of PCA-DEX. PCA-DEX included a loading dose, continuous infusion, and patient-administered boluses during dressing changes for up to 5 days. Vital signs were monitored throughout PCA-DEX. Procedural pain and anxiety were evaluated before and after each dressing change. Nursing and patient satisfaction were evaluated after each dressing change. Twenty patients were included; 9 (45%) males and 11 females (55%) with a mean age of 45.1 ± 16.9 years and median total body surface area burn injury of 7 [IQR 4-9.5]%. Median heart rate and systolic blood pressure prior to PCA-DEX on day 1 were 82 [75-97] bpm and 147 [128-170] mmHg. Overall PCA-DEX was tolerated well with a median heart rate of 72 [66-82] bpm and systolic blood pressure 115 [99-141] mmHg after PCA-DEX. One patient was withdrawn due to severe bradycardia (heart rate < 45 bpm) not attributed to PCA-DEX; 4 patients experienced mild hypotension (systolic blood pressure 85-89/diastolic blood pressure 45-49 mmHg), all of which resolved without intervention. The majority of both nurses and patients were either satisfied or highly satisfied with PCA-DEX overall (78.1% for nursing, 86.5% for patients). PCA-DEX is a novel, safe and feasible method of anxiolysis during burn dressing changes with high patient and nurse satisfaction rates. A randomized, controlled trial is warranted to confirm the efficacy of PCA-DEX.

The data are insufficient to support standardized treatment of all patients with frostbite with thrombolytic therapy. The following guidelines, however, should be applied to all patients with cyanosis persisting proximal to the distal phalanx (Grade 3 or 4 frostbite injury) and demonstrated loss of perfusion at or proximal to the middle phalanx immediately after rewarming.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) is a rare, severe mucocutaneous reaction with few large cohorts reported. This multicenter retrospective study included patients with SJS/TEN seen by inpatient consultative dermatologists at 18 academic medical centers in the United States. A total of 377 adult patients with SJS/TEN between January 1, 2000 and June 1, 2015 were entered, including 260 of 377 (69%) from 2010 onward. The most frequent cause of SJS/TEN was medication reaction in 338 of 377 (89.7%), most often to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (89/338; 26.3%). Most patients were managed in an intensive care (100/368; 27.2%) or burn unit (151/368; 41.0%). Most received pharmacologic therapy (266/376; 70.7%) versus supportive care alone (110/376; 29.3%)-typically corticosteroids (113/266; 42.5%), intravenous immunoglobulin (94/266; 35.3%), or both therapies (54/266; 20.3%). Based on day 1 SCORTEN predicted mortality, approximately 78 in-hospital deaths were expected (77.7/368; 21%), but the observed mortality of 54 patients (54/368; 14.7%) was significantly lower (standardized mortality ratio = 0.70; 95% confidence interval = 0.58-0.79). Stratified by therapy received, the standardized mortality ratio was lowest among those receiving both steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin (standardized mortality ratio = 0.52; 95% confidence interval 0.21-0.79). This large cohort provides contemporary information regarding US patients with SJS/TEN. Mortality, although substantial, was significantly lower than predicted. Although the precise role of pharmacotherapy remains unclear, co-administration of corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin, among other therapies, may warrant further study.

Objective tPA and anticoagulation for treatment of severe frostbite have been reported suggesting differences in imaging techniques, route of tPA administration and management of patients after tPA infusion. This is a report of our results following a protocol of Tc-99m scanning, intravenous tPA administration, followed by either systemic anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy. Methods Patients admitted to our burn center between February 13, 2015 and February 13, 2016 for frostbite who met inclusion criteria were treated with Tc-99m scan and intravenous tPA followed by systemic anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy. Inclusion criteria included rewarming had not started more than 24 h prior to the scan and no contraindications to the use of tPA. Results Fifteen patients met inclusion criteria and 12 were treated according to the protocol. Nine received scans with 2 showing normal perfusion. Seven displayed perfusion defects and received intravenous tPA. Five recovered fully after tPA. Two who showed improved but abnormal scans after tPA experienced bleeding complications necessitating stopping heparin/Coumadin. Those two went on to partial amputation of digits. Conclusion The use of intra-arterial or intravenous tPA along with angiography or Tc-99m scanning followed by systemic anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy may be beneficial to patients suffering frostbite.

It is generally agreed that patients with large burns will be referred to organized burn centers, however, the referral of patients with smaller burns is less certain. A two-part survey was conducted to identify referral patterns for burn patients that meet American Burn Association referral criteria, and any effect insurance type might have on the referral patterns. The emergency departments of our state hospital association's member hospitals were contacted seeking a referral for a fictitious patient with a third-degree scald of the dominant hand. The referral sites were contacted twice, first stating that the patient had commercial insurance, next stating that the patient had Medicaid. Data collected included wait time for an appointment or reasons for denial of an appointment. Of 218 hospitals, 46 were excluded because they did not offer emergency care, and eight because they were listed as burn centers on the American Burn Association website. Of the remaining 164, 119 (73%) would refer to a burn center, 21 (13%) to a plastic surgeon, 10 (6%) to a hand surgeon, 7 (4%) to a wound center, 7 (4%) to another nonburn physician resource. There was no difference in wait time to the first available appointment with regards to insurance type (6.56 ± 4.68 vs 6.53 ± 5.05 days). Our state's referral pattern gives us insight into the regional referral pattern. This information will be used to guide a focused education and communication program to provide better service for the burn victims of our state.

Objective Compression therapy (CT) has been an important, but debated, treatment for burn scars. To better understand one source of variation in observed outcomes after CT, an evaluation of CT timing of application is needed. Materials and Methods Following IRB approval, 126 burn centers were contacted to complete a 17-question survey regarding the center’s practice pattern for compression garment therapy. Locally, study subjects were identified between March 1, 2014 and December 31, 2015 and medical records examined for timing of garment ordering, delivery and fitting. Results The majority believed that compression therapy is beneficial. Most centers reported using custom-fit and pre-fabricated garments, and a goal time of application between 2–4 weeks (42%) and 4–6 weeks (36%). After the garments are ordered, 61% of centers estimate that it takes 2–4 weeks for them to arrive. No significant differences in practices were found among centers treating pediatric patients only, adults only or both. Locally, the mean number of weeks between the date of original injury and garment order placement was 9.1 weeks with an additional 8.7 weeks between the date of order and date of delivery. Conclusions The current study identified that although the national reporting of time to garment application is estimated to be between 2–6 weeks at the majority of burn centers including our own, we found our center to be well in excess of 17 weeks. The findings offer an opportunity for local improvement, and raise the possibility of similar incongruity between goals and practice at other centers.

The benefits of oxandrolone in burn patients has led to its accepted use in the burn care community, however details regarding the most common adverse effect, transaminitis, remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of transaminitis in patients with burn injury and identify risk factors associated with the development of transaminitis. This single-center, retrospective risk factor analysis compared burn patients on oxandrolone with and without the development of transaminitis, defined as any aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase value >100mg/dL. Patient demographics, past medical history, lab values, and burn characteristics were recorded. Overall 28 out of 66 (42%) patients developed transaminitis. The transaminitis group had a significantly higher proportion of other concomitant medications with a transaminitis risk (p=0.045). No significant difference in liver dysfunction or length of stay was observed between the two groups. Oxandrolone induced transaminitis is occurring in patients significantly more frequently than previously reported warranting further research to guide monitoring requirements, use of concomitant medications, and to determine if rechallenging after resolution should be considered.

This study characterizes adult burn readmissions in the United States using a nationally representative hospital inpatient sample. Readmission rates, diagnoses, and risk factors are discussed. We analyzed the 2013 and 2014 Nationwide Readmission Database for adult burn patients. The data were weighted to estimate national 30-day readmission rates. Principal readmission diagnoses were sorted into burn-specific or other readmission categories. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the effects of patient and hospital stay risk factors on readmissions. An estimated 42,957 U.S. adult burn patients were discharged between January and November of 2013 and 2014. Of these patients, an estimated 3203 had unscheduled readmissions within 30 days (all-cause readmission rate: 7.5%, 95% CI: 6.7-8.2). An estimated 55.4 per cent of unplanned readmissions were for burn-specific principal readmission diagnoses. Burn-specific readmission was associated with burn severity and increased with both patient age and the number of comorbidities. Patients whose length of stay was less than 1 day per % total body surface area (%TBSA) burned had higher readmission risk (Adjusted odds ratio = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.48-2.99). The results of logistic regression models were similar for burn-specific readmissions and all-cause readmissions. In a nationally representative sample of adult burn patients, 4.1 per cent had unplanned 30-day readmissions for burn-specific reasons; 7.5 per cent were readmitted for any reason. Patient comorbidities and discharge before 1 day per %TBSA from the hospital impact readmission risk. Healthcare providers can use this information to identify at-risk patients, modify their treatment plans, and prevent readmissions.

Advancing age is associated with increased mortality despite smaller burn size. Chronic conditions are common in the elderly with resulting polypharmacy. The Comorbidity-Polypharmacy Score (CPS) facilitates quantitative assessment of the severity of comorbid conditions, or physiologic age. Burn injury in older patients is associated with increasing morbidity and mortality and the CPS may be predictive of outcomes such as mortality, ICU and hospital LOS, complications, and final hospital disposition. Our goal was to evaluate the predictive value of CPS for outcomes in the elderly burn population. A retrospective study was undertaken of 920 burn patients with age ≥45 admitted with acute burn injuries (January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2012). CPS was calculated by adding preinjury comorbidities and medications. Subjects were stratified into three groups according to CPS severity. Data collected included demographics, total body surface area burned (TBSA), presence of inhalation injury, ICU/hospital length of stay, complications, discharge disposition, and mortality. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. The mean age was 55.7; 72.9% were males; the mean initial TBSA was 6.93%; and mean CPS was 8.01. The risk of in-hospital complications is independently associated with CPS (OR 1.35). CPS (OR 1.81) was an independent predictor of discharge to a facility CPS but not of mortality. While increasing CPS was associated with lower TBSA, mortality remained unchanged. CPS is an independent predictor of in-hospital complications and need for transfer to extended care facilities in older burn patients, which can be determined at the stage of admission to help direct patient management.

Infection control is a critical component of post-burn care with prevention of infection serving as a major cause of decreasing morbidity and mortality. One potential deterrent for infection is barrier protection during dressing changes; however, no evidence-based standard has been established among burn centers. The purpose of this study is to describe the current barrier techniques of American burn centers. A 24-question survey was sent to 121 burn center nurse managers within the United States. The survey was comprised of yes or no questions with comment sections available for further detail. Questions were constructed to gain insight into the variation and commonality that may exist between burn center barrier protocols. Forty-one out of 121 centers (34%) responded. Centers reported the use of head covers, masks, gowns, and gloves during admission of a new burn (71%, 82%, 95%, and 100% respectively); daily dressing changes (64%, 80%, 97%, and 100% respectively); postoperative dressing changes (64%, masks 80%, 97%, and 100% respectively); and dressing changes of a nonburn (66%, 82%, 97%, and 100% respectively). Burn centers reported their use of sterile gloves and gowns during typical burn dressing changes as occurring 20% and 10% of the time, respectively. Estimates for costs of these garments annually ranged from $0 to $250,000. A calculation performed for this study demonstrated that barrier garments used for dressing changes nationwide is approximately $2.43 million. We demonstrated the immense cost, to an institution and nationwide, of barrier garments used solely for dressing changes.

Background:The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of 300 milligrams (mg) and 600 mg of pregabalin compared to placebo in the reduction of pain in patients with noncritical partial and full thickness burn injuries.Methods:A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, sin

Development of metrics for burn care, including healing of skin wounds during the acute phase of treatment, is essential in an environment of decreasing resources and increasing interest in quality and accuracy of medical information. Advantages of consensus metrics include: tracking of trends in care; consistency of care; and correlation of treatment with medical outcomes. For cutaneous burn wounds, these advantages are confounded by factors that contribute to the heterogeneity of burn wounds, including but not limited to: TBSA of injury, depth of injury (partial or full thickness), cause, patient-dependent factors such as age, sex, and comorbidities, anatomic site, and time between injury and treatment. Similar factors contribute to complex injuries from trauma, depth, debridement or excision of devitalized tissue, dressing or grafting of the prepared wound bed, and assessment to determine wound closure. In the absence of confounding factors or comorbidities, wound closure is one of the key criteria for discharge from acute care whether in hospital, or ambulatory care. Not surprisingly, these metrics for wound healing have been used repeatedly in the assessment of developing therapies for wound care. In response, review by the FDA of novel therapies has led to Guidance for Industry: chronic cutaneous ulcer and burn wounds developing products for treatment. and allow for risk adjustment of individuals in the population, who otherwise may be outliers to the statistical mean of the entire population.

Currently, there have been few studies that have evaluated the incidence of vitamin D deficiency in adult burn patients or correlated vitamin D levels with burn-related outcomes. The primary objective of the study was to identify the incidence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in an adult burn population. The secondary objective was to determine the impact of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency on clinical outcomes in burn care. A single-center, retrospective, and observational cohort analysis of adult patients admitted for initial management of burn injury, who had a 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25D) level measured on admission, was performed. Patients were categorized as vitamin D deficient (25D

Introduction Resuscitation from burn shock using fresh frozen plasma (FFP) has been described. Critics of FFP resuscitation cite the development of transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI) as a deterrent to its use. This study examines the occurrence of TRALI with FFP resuscitation of critically ill burned patients. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted of severely burned patients who received FFP resuscitation. Data points included age, TBSA, TBSA full thickness, presence of alternate etiologies of acute lung injury, total FFP administered, and signs and symptoms of TRALI as defined per the Canadian Blood Services Consensus Conference. Results Eighty-three patients met the definition of severe burn and received FFP resuscitation. Of those, 65 met exclusion criteria. Eighteen patients were left for analysis with only one found to have signs and symptoms of TRALI. That patient suffered a 53.5% TBSA burn, received a total of 6228 ml FFP, had no competing etiologies of ALI, and was diagnosed with TRALI within 6 h of completing the FFP transfusion. Conclusion The possible occurrence of TRALI in burn patients receiving FFP resuscitation should be weighed against the reported benefits of such a resuscitation strategy.

Logic models are a practical method for systematically collecting impact data for community nutrition efforts, such as the Food Stamp Nutrition Education program. This report describes the process used to develop and test the Community Nutrition Education Logic Model and the results of a pilot study to determine whether national evaluation data could be captured without losing flexibility of programming and evaluation at the state level. The objectives were to develop an evaluation framework based on the Logic Model to include dietary quality, food safety, food security, and shopping behavior/food resource management and to develop a training mechanism for use. The portability feature of the model should allow application to a variety of community education programs.

Purpose: The surgical resident experience with trauma has changed. Many residents are exposed to predominantly nonoperative patient care experiences while on trauma rotations. Data from a large multicenter study were analyzed to estimate surgical resident exposure to trauma laparotomy, diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL), and focused abdominal sonography for trauma (U/S). Methods: Centers completed a self-report questionnaire on their institutional demographics, admissions, and procedure for a 2-year period (1998-1999). Results: A total of 82 trauma centers that provide resident teaching were included. The included centers represent over 247,000 trauma admissions. The majority of trauma centers (65.9%) had > 80% blunt injury. Although all centers performed laparotomies, other results were more variable. For U/S, 24.2% performed none at all and 47.0% performed fewer than two U/S examinations per month. For DPLs, 3.8% performed none and 66.7% performed fewer than two per month. Assuming 1 night of 4 on call, the average surgical resident training at a trauma center performing > 80% blunt trauma has the potential to participate in only 15 trauma laparotomies, 6 diagnostic peritoneal lavages, and 45 ultrasound examinations per year. In addition, the resident will care for an average of 500 blunt trauma patients before performing a splenectomy or liver repair. Conclusion: Surgical resident experience on most trauma services is heavily weighted to nonoperative management, with a relatively low number of procedures, little experience with DPL, and highly variable experience with ultrasound. These data have serious implications for resident training and recruitment into the specialty.

Objectives A multidisciplinary team developed an evidence-based guideline for the management of foot burns occurring in diabetic patients that included transcutaneous oxygen measurements (TCOM) and application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to selected patients. This report represents an evaluation of preliminary TCOM/HBOT data. Methods This is a retrospective review of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) who were admitted to a single American Burn Association (ABA) verified burn center for the treatment of foot burns. Patients were treated via the guideline if they were over the age of 16, admitted for the initial care of burns involving the feet between 4/01/2012 and 7/22/2013, and had a known or new diagnosis of DM. Results Eighteen patients were treated according to the guideline, 14 men and 4 women. Average age was 54 years + 14.78. Average BMI was 30.63 + 6.34. Median burn size was 0.88% TBSA (median partial thickness of 1% and median full thickness of 0.5%). The average HbA1c was 9.08 + 2.42. Seven patients received pre-operative HBOT, two received post-operative HBOT and three patients healed their wounds with HBOT alone. Average hospital length of stay was 13.39 days + 9.94 and was significantly longer for the group receiving HBOT. Admission HbA1c was not a predictor of the need for HBOT . Conclusions While TCOM/HBOT therapy has not been widely applied to the management of diabetic foot burns, the use of an evidence-based guideline incorporating TCOM/HBOT can provide a systematic way to evaluate the patients’ microcirculation and ability to heal burns of the foot. The incorporation of TCOM determination and application of HBOT in selected patients with DM and burns of the feet warrant continued study.

A variety of nutrition education interventions and social marketing initiatives are being used by the Food Stamp Program to improve food resource management, food safety, dietary quality, and food security for low-income households. The Social-Ecological Model is proposed as a theory-based framework to characterize the nature and results of interventions conducted through large public/private partnerships with the Food Stamp Program. In particular, this article suggests indicators and measures that lend themselves to the pooling of data across counties and states, with special emphasis on systems, environment, and public policy change within organizations at the community and state levels.

Introduction Diabetes mellitus affects 25.8 million Americans and is predicted to almost double by 2050. The presence of diabetes complicates hospital courses because of the microvascular complications associated with disease progression. Patients with diabetes represent 18.3% of annual burn admissions to our unit and 27% have burns to the feet. The purpose of this project was to develop an evidence-based guideline for care of the patient with diabetes and foot burns Methods A multidisciplinary group was charged with developing an evidence-based guideline for the treatment of foot burns in patients with diabetes. Evidence was evaluated in the areas of diabetes, burn care, hyperbaric medicine, care of diabetic foot wounds and physical therapy. After guideline development and approval, key aspects were incorporated into order sets. Results Key aspects of this guideline are the ability to identify patients with undiagnosed diabetes, assess diabetic control, optimize glycemic and metabolic control, optimize burn wound management, treat microvascular disease, and provide education and a discharge plan. Evaluated outcomes are glycemic control, length of stay, complication rates, amputation rates, infection rates and the use of hyperbaric oxygen. Conclusions Best outcomes for this high risk population will be attainable with an evidence based guideline.

Poor glucose control and clinical outcomes have been observed in diabetic versus nondiabetic patients postburn injury. Prediabetes is a precursor to diabetes. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of prediabetes on postinjury glucose control and clinical outcomes. A retrospective review was conducted comparing prediabetics and euglycemic controls. Patients who were admitted for burn care were 18 to 89 years of age and had a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) obtained on admission. Prediabetics were defined by an HbA1c of 5.7 to 6.4% and controls by HbA1c5.7%. Inpatient glucose levels were recorded, in addition to clinical outcomes. Two hundred eight patients were included: 54 prediabetics and 154 controls. The prediabetic population was older (50.7 vs 39 years; P.001) with more hypertensives (44.4 vs 16.9%; P.001), consisted of more African-Americans (20.4 vs 12%; P = .04), and had larger areas of full-thickness burns (4.5 vs 1.75%; P = .02). Median admission HbA1c was 5.9 (5.7-6.0)% among prediabetics and 5.3 (5-5.45)% among controls (P.001). Prediabetics had significantly higher time-weighted glucose levels (127.7 [105.5-147.6] vs 108.0 [97.1-122.2] mg/dl; P.001) and more had an average inpatient glucose150 mg/dl (20.4 vs 9.1%; P = .028). There was no difference in rates of hypoglycemia (glucose70 mg/dl) or glycemic variability. Prediabetics had lower survival rates (92.6 vs 98.7%; P = .041), but similar rates of unplanned readmission (1.9 vs 3.9%; P = .68), intensive care unit admission (29.6 vs 23.4%; P = .36), mechanical ventilation (24.1 vs 16.2%; P = .20), length of hospital stay (4 [2-8] vs 3 [2-11]; P = .71), and infection (11.1 vs 11.7%; P = .99). Prediabetic status has a significant impact on glucose control and mortality after burn injury.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of age and gender to outcome after treatment of blunt splenic injury in adults. Methods: Through the Multi-Institutional Trials Committee of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST), 1488 adult patients from 27 trauma centers who suffered blunt splenic injury in 1997 were examined retrospectively. Results: Fifteen percent of patients were 55 years of age or older. A similar proportion of patients ≥ 55 went directly to the operating room compared with patients < 55 (41% vs. 38%) but the mortality for patients ≥ 55 was significantly greater than patients < 55 (43% vs. 23%). Patients ≥ 55 failed nonoperative management (NOM) more frequently than patients < 55 (19% vs. 10%) and had increased mortality for both successful NOM (8% vs. 4%, p < 0.05) and failed NOM (29% vs. 12%, p = 0.054). There were no differences in immediate operative treatment, successful NOM, and failed NOM between men and women. However, women ≥ 55 failed NOM more frequently than women < 55 (20% vs. 7%) and this was associated with increased mortality (36% vs. 5%) (both p < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients ≥ 55 had a greater mortality for all forms of treatment of their blunt splenic injury and failed NOM more frequently than patients < 55. Women ≥ 55 had significantly greater mortality and failure of NOM than women < 55.

Background: Previous studies have reached contradictory conclusions regarding where injured children are best treated. Our hypothesis was that no differences in survival outcome exist among trauma centers caring for pediatric patients. Methods: For 16,108 injured children, we created a dependant variable, As-Ps (actual survival - predicted survival), which represents variation from TRISS-predicted outcome for each individual. We then used that variable to compare trauma centers' survival results overall and results for liver, spleen, and head injuries, statistically adjusting for age and injury severity. Results: When adjusted for age and injury severity, centers with added qualifications in pediatrics and Level I centers had improved survival performance overall and in the subcategory of head injured children. No differences existed in other organ-specific injury categories. Conclusion: The improved unexpected outcome results at Level I centers and centers with Added Qualifications in Pediatrics suggest that a team of qualified professionals working in an institution willing to commit the required resources can sufficiently offer injured children the survival advantage expected of a trauma center.

For a successful take, skin grafts must be immobilized when applying dressings. Surgical beds requiring a stent to maintain contact between the graft and wound bed can be treated with Biobrane (Dow B. Hickam, Inc., Sugarland, Texas), which is held in place with skin staples at the periphery. Moistened gauze is placed over the grafted area, the redundant Biobrane stretched over the gauze, and this top layer again stapled at the periphery. When the stent is no longer needed, the top layer of Biobrane and gauze are removed, leaving a graft adherent to the bed and covered with Biobrane. This allows the surgeon to quickly construct an effective stent.

The Sure-Closurem 75 mm skin stretching system is used in closing wounds when the presence of a skin deficit precludes the safe and effective use of primary closure techniques. The device (Figure 2) consists of two pins that are threaded through the dermis of the wound margins on either side of the defect and which are in turn engaged by the hooks of the stretching device. The stretching force on the skin margins is spread over a wide area, thus preventing damage to the skin that individual hooks applied to the skin might cause. The device is used for up to 30 min for 3 days depending on the condition of the skin adjoining the defect. It can he applied over three different periods of time: (1) preoperatively (presuturing), lasting 1 to 2 days, (2) intraoperatively for acute stretching, and (3) postoperatively for delayed stretching.

Infrequently reported, serious allergic reactions to topical antimicrobial agents used in the treatment of burn injuries are a potential source of confusion. To avoid misdirected therapy, an understanding of the manifestations of such reactions is important. Two recent cases of serious allergic reactions, one to silver sulphadiazine, one to mafenide acetate, are presented and the literature is reviewed.

The experience with CAPD using the Tenckhoff catheter in 115 patients over a 7 year period has been reviewed. The general indications for CAPD in the patient with chronic renal failure are the mental and physical ability of the patient or his relatives to perform CAPD. In our series, diabetes mellitus has been a relative indication for CAPD, because diabetic patients often have vascular disease severe enough to make long-term hemodialysis difficult. The general contraindications are abdominal problems such as hernias, abdominal wall infections, inflammatory bowel disease, adhesions, and gastrointestinal stomas. Other contraindications are lumbar disk disease and respiratory insufficiency. The surgical principles of catheter insertion have been described. Complications associated with the Tenckhoff catheter were either mechanical (intraabdominal organ injury, incisional hernia, catheter leakage, catheter occlusion, or catheter dislodgement), or infectious (peritonitis or abdominal wall infection). The single most common organism isolated from effluent dialysate in 65 patients with peritonitis was Staphylococcus epidermidis in six patients (9.2 percent), and in 20 patients (30.8 percent), no organism could be isolated. For those patients who had peritonitis, the average frequency was at 8.9 months of CAPD. There were only three deaths (3 percent) directly related to the Tenckhoff catheter and these were due to peritonitis and sepsis. Only 22 (19 percent) of the 115 patients in this series had to discontinue CAPD because of its ineffectiveness or the patient's or relative's inability to perform CAPD.

The relationship between retained fluid and survival has previously been reported from our burn unit. Two hundred thirty cc/kg lean body mass accurately delineated survivors from nonsurvivors. Our previous study did not account for fluid lost through the burn wound. This study was undertaken to evaluate fluid retention per square meter of body surface area which has been corrected for fluid loss from the burn wound using a formula suggested by Mason et al. Data collected from 95 adult patients with burns greater than or equal to 20% body surface area burn (mean age, 42.4 years; mean burn size, 37.7%), who were admitted to our burn unit between January 1978 and September 1985, were evaluated. All patients included in the study were adequately resuscitated and survived the initial 48 hours. A calculation of the total fluid retained during the first 48 hours postburn and estimation of fluid loss from the burn wound were made. A comparison was made between lean body retained fluid and surface area retained fluid. A positive correlation (r = 0.921; p less than 0.001) was demonstrated between these two methods of assessing fluid retention. Fluid retention determined by either method resulted in a higher correlation with survival than any single predictor (age, per cent body surface area burned) of burn survival. Surface area fluid is as accurate as lean body fluid in predicting survival. Additionally, we determined that for the first 48 hours postburn, 4,425 cc fluid retained per meter square body surface area accurately differentiated survivors from nonsurvivors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

• A retrospective review of 210 admissions for gunshot wounds was performed to evaluate the frequency that various anatomic areas were injured, complication rates, results of treatment, and costs. Seventy-two percent of patients had a single anatomic site involved. The complication rate was 13% and the death rate was 10.9%. A good result was obtained in 72%, but 12.4% had long-term disabilities. The average length of stay was 11 days with an average cost of $5,682 per patient. Application of today's prospective payment under diagnosis-related groups suggests this system of payment may adversely affect the delivery of trauma care in this country. ( Arch Surg 1985;120:837-839)

• Gunshot wounds to the abdomen are an indication for exploratory laparotomy in all cases except those involving the most superficial abdominal wall injuries. The charts of 123 patients admitted for abdominal gunshot wounds were reviewed for times of arrival on the scene by paramedics, in the emergency room, and in the operating room, as well as for number of admissions. Results of therapy were also graded and correlated with response times. The mean paramedic response time was 4 minutes 30 s. An average of 24 minutes 24 s was spent at the scene and in transport. The average delay from admission to arrival in the operating room was 1 hour 49 minutes. Patients who died spent an average of 54.4 minutes in the emergency room prior to surgical intervention. These results may represent justification for regionalization of trauma and direct transport to the operating room for abdominal gunshot wounds. ( Arch Surg 1986;121:902-904)

The quantity of fluid retained during the first 48 hours of resuscitation has been suggested as an indicator of burn severity and mortality (13). In this study of 82 adult burned patients with more than 20% total body surface burns we found that the net fluid retention during the first 48 hours of resuscitation was a predictor of burn mortality and additionally 230 cc of retained fluid per kilogram of lean body mass in the initial 48 hours postburn was an excellent means for separating survivors from nonsurvivors. Fluid retention as an indicator of burn severity and mortality was compared to other methods of predicting burned patient mortality. Parameters evaluated included the per cent body surface area burned, per cent full thickness burn, presence or absence of inhalation injuries, sex, age, and ultimate outcome. The Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) (14) was determined for each patient using these data. A comparison was made between fluid retention data, per cent body surface area burned, and the calculated Abbreviated Burn Severity Index and patient mortality. The power of each variable to predict mortality was evaluated by stepwise regression analysis. From this analysis net fluid retention during the first 48 hours of resuscitation was as accurate as the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index and was a better predictor of mortality than individual components of that Index.