Abstract

Background: To evaluate the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of burn wounds.Methods: A comprehensive literature survey was conducted in electronic medical journal databases to identify studies that examined the effect of PRP treatment to burn wounds and meta-analyses of mean differences (MD) standardized MD, or odds ratios (OR) were performed.Results: The percentage of graft take was not significantly different between PRP-treated and control wound areas. Healing rate was significantly better in PRP-treated wounds. Healing time was also significantly less in PRP-treated wounds. There was no significant difference between PRP-treated and control wound areas in epithelialization, or in the incidence of adverse events. Incidence of infection was also not different between PRP-treated and control wound areas. Scar assessment score was significantly better in PRP-treated than in control wound areas.Conclusion: PRP treatment to burn wounds is found to improve healing. Variations in study design and sample size, types of wounds, PRP preparation protocols, and high risk of bias in some of the included studies may have impact on these outcomes.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of the rhGM-CSF gel on third degree frostbite wounds. 62 patients who had suffered third degree frostbite on their hand or foot (91 wounds in total ) were selected using a convenience sampling method and randomly allocated to two groups: the rhGM-CSF group(31patients,45 frostbite wounds) received the rhGM-CSF gel when wound dressing change daily, however, the control group (31patients, 46 frostbite wounds) received aloe glue. The wound healing time , the score of inflammation about the wound and the positive bacterial culture of wound secretions was used to measure outcomes respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS (25.0), student's t test or Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test or Fisher exact test were selected, as appropriate. The healing time of the rhGM-CSF group was (12.2+/-5.0) days, which was significantly shorter than that of the control group (15.5+/-4.7) days (P <0.0001). The rhGM-CSF group's wound inflammation scores on the 7th and 14th day of treatment were (0.96+/-0.21) and (1.88+/-0.29) respectively, which were better than those of the control group (1.12+/-0.24) and (1.38+/-0.15) (both P <0.0001). The positive bacterial culture of wound secretions in the rhGM-CSF group was also better than that in the control group on the 3rd , 7th and 14th day after treatment (P =0.027, 0.004, 0.030 respectively). According to the results, using rhGM-CSF gel considerably increases the speed of frostbite wounds healing, and have an effect on protecting third degree frostbite wounds regarding the positive effects.

Abstract

Blood transfusions following major burn injury are common due to operative losses, blood sampling, and burn physiology. While massive transfusion improves outcomes in adult trauma patients, literature examining its effect in critically ill children is limited. The study purpose was to prospectively compare outcomes of major pediatric burns receiving a 1:1 vs 4:1 packed red blood cell (PRBC) to fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion strategy during massive burn excision. Children with >20% total body surface area (TBSA) burns were randomized to a 1:1 or 4:1 PRBC/FFP transfusion ratio during burn excision. Parameters examined include patient demographics, burn size, Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) scores, Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction (PELOD) scores, laboratory values, total blood products transfused, and the presence of blood stream infections or pneumonia. A total of 68 children who met inclusion criteria were randomized into two groups (n=34). Mean age, PRISM scores, estimated blood loss (600 mL (400 - 1175 mL) v 600 mL (300 - 1150 mL), p = 0.68), ventilator days (5 v 9, p = 0.47), and length of stay (57 v 60 days, p = 0.24) had no difference. No differences in frequency of blood stream infection (20 v 18, p = 0.46) or pneumonia events (68 v 116, p = 0.08) were noted. On multivariate analysis, only TBSA burn size, inhalation injury, and PRISM scores (p < 0.05) were significantly associated with infections.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Split thickness skin graft is a widely accepted technique to cover large defects. Shearing, hematoma and infection have often been attributed as major causes for graft loss. Autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) has been used in various treatment modalities in the field of plastic surgery for its healing, adhesive and hemostatic properties owing to the growth factors that are released. This Study primarily throws light on the usage of PRP over difficult Burn wound beds to augment graft uptake and attenuate complications. METHODS The patients were divided into two groups of those who were subjected to use of autologous PRP as a preparative burn surfacing and the control group who underwent standard method of treatment. RESULTS Patients in PRP group significantly showed a higher graft adherence rate as compared to those with other method. It also reduced pain, and hematoma formation. CONCLUSION Application of PRP is a safe, cost effective, easy method to increase graft adherence rate in patients with burns where graft loss is noticed and there is shortage of donor sites.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Although blood transfusion is common in burns, data are lacking in appropriate transfusion thresholds. It has been reported that a restrictive blood transfusion policy decreases blood utilization and improves outcomes in critically ill adults, but the impact of a restrictive blood transfusion policy in burn patients is unclear. We decided to investigate the outcome of decreasing the blood transfusion threshold. MATERIAL AND METHODS Eighty patients with TBSA > 20% who met our inclusion criteria were included. They were randomly divided into control and intervention groups. The intervention group received packed cells only when Hemoglobin declined to less than 8 g/dL at routine laboratory evaluations. While the control group received packed-cell when hemoglobin was declined to less than 10 g/dl. The total number of the received packed cell before, during and after any surgical procedure was recorded. The outcome was measured by the evaluation of the infection rate and other complications. RESULT The mean hemoglobin level before transfusion was 7.7 ± 0.4 g/dL in the restrictive group and 8.8 ± 0.7 g/dL in the liberal group. The mean number of RBC unit transfusion per patient in the restrictive group was significantly lower than the traditional group (3.28 ± 2.2 units vs. 5.9 ± 3.7 units) (p-value = 0.006). The total number of RBC transfused units varied significantly between the two groups (p-value = 0.014). The number of transfused RBC units outside the operation room showed a significant difference between groups (restrictive: 2.8 ± 1.4 units vs. liberal: 4.4 ± 2.6 units) (p = 0.004). We did not find any significant difference in mortality rate or other outcome measures between groups. CONCLUSION Applying the restrictive transfusion strategy in thermal burn patients who are highly prone to all kinds of infection, does not adversely impact the patient outcome, and results in significant cost savings to the institution and lower rate of infection. We conclude that the restrictive transfusion practice during burn excision and grafting is well tolerated and effective in reducing the number of transfusions without increasing complications. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION REFERENCE IRCT20190209042660N1.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION It is uncertain whether treatment by recombinant human granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) can promote healing of deep second-degree burns. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically review and assess randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the efficacy and safety of rhGM-CSF for treating deep second-degree burns. METHODS This meta-analysis conformed to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medline and Embase databases and relevant references were systematically searched for RCTs (published up to November 2019). Main outcome measures included the wound healing rate, wound healing time and average optical densities of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF). We performed a meta-analysis using fixed or random effects models. RESULTS Seven RCTs comprising 982 patients with 1184 burns (652 patients received rhGM-CSF vs 532 controls) were included. Compared with standard wound care alone, the use of rhGM-CSF significantly reduced wound healing time by 4.77 days (weighted mean difference=-4.77; 95% CI -6.45 to -3.09; p<0.001) and significantly increased the wound healing rate on days 7, 10, 14 and 20 by 6.46%, 19.78%, 17.07% and 11.38%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups in the wound healing rate on day 28 and average optical densities of VEGF and FGF. No systematic adverse event occurred. Redder, more swollen and painful wounds were reported after using rhGM-CSF compared with the control. CONCLUSIONS rhGM-CSF could be effective and safe for treating deep second-degree burns.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of fluid resuscitation guided by pulse contour cardiac output (PiCCO) monitoring technology on the organ function in extremely severe burn patients. Methods: From May 2015 to March 2019, 52 patients with extremely severe burn hospitalized in Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University & Wuhan Third Hospital, meeting the inclusion criteria, were recruited to conduct a prospectively randomized control study. The patients were divided into PiCCO monitoring rehydration group (25 cases, 17 males and 8 females) and traditional rehydration group (27 cases, 20 males and 7 females) according to the random number table, with the ages of (47±9) and (49±8) years respectively. After admission, all the patients were rehydrated according to the rehydration formula of the Third Military Medical University during shock stage. In traditional rehydration group, fluid resuscitation of the patients was performed by monitoring the traditional shock indicators such as urine volume and central venous pressure, while PiCCO monitoring was performed in patients in PiCCO monitoring rehydration group, and the global end-diastolic volume index combined with the other relevant indicators of PiCCO monitoring were used to guide rehydration on the basis of the monitoring indicators of traditional rehydration group. The rehydration coefficients and urine volumes per kilogram of body weight per hour during the first and second 24 h post injury were compared between the two groups, which were compared with the corresponding rehydration scheme value of the Third Military Medical University (hereinafter referred to as the scheme value) at the same time. The total rehydration volumes within post injury hour (PIH) 8 and during the first and second 24 h post injury, the urine volumes per hour during the first and second 24 h post injury, and the levels of creatinine, urea nitrogen, lactate clearance rate, procalcitonin, creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) in blood and mean arterial pressure (MAP) on post injury day (PID) 1, 2, and 3 were measured. The incidence of complications, the application case number of mechanical ventilation, and the mechanical ventilation time within PID 28 were analyzed. Data were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance for repeated measurement, t test, Bonferroni correction, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact probability method test. Results: During the second 24 h post injury, the rehydration coefficient of patients in traditional rehydration group was significantly higher than the scheme value (t=5.120, P<0.01). During the first and second 24 h post injury, the rehydration coefficients of patients in PiCCO monitoring rehydration group were significantly higher than the scheme values (t=3.655, 10.894, P<0.01) and those in traditional rehydration group (t=3.172, 2.363, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Within PIH 8, the total rehydration volumes of patients between the two groups were similar. During the first and second 24 h post injury, the total rehydration volumes of patients in PiCCO monitoring rehydration group were significantly higher than those in traditional rehydration group (t=4.428, 3.665, P<0.01). During the first and second 24 h post injury, the urine volumes per kilogram of body weight per hour of patients in traditional rehydration group were significantly higher than the schema values (t=4.293, 6.362, P<0.01), and the urine volumes per kilogram body weight per hour of patients in PiCCO monitoring rehydration group were significantly higher than the schema values (t=6.461, 8.234, P<0.01). The urine volumes per kilogram of body weight per hour and urine volumes per hour of patients in PiCCO monitoring rehydration group during the second 24 h post injury were significantly higher than those in traditional rehydration group (t=2.849, 3.644, P<0.05 or P<0.01). The creatinine levels of patients between the two groups on PID 1, 2, and 3 were similar. The urea nitrogen levels of patients in PiCCO monitoring rehydration group on PID 1, 2, and 3 were (6.8±1.5), (5.6±1.4), (4.4±1.4) mmol/L respectively, which were significantly lower than (8.6±1.8), (6.6±1.5), (5.5±1.4) mmol/L in traditional rehydration group (t=3.817, 2.511, 2.903, P<0.05 or P<0.01). The lactate clearance rates of patients in PiCCO monitoring rehydration group on PID 1, 2, and 3 were significantly higher than those in traditional rehydration group (t=2.516, 4.540, 3.130, P<0.05 or P<0.01). The procalcitonin levels of patients in PiCCO monitoring rehydration group on PID 2 and 3 were significantly lower than those in traditional rehydration group (Z=-2.491, -2.903, P<0.05). The CK-MB level of patients in PiCCO monitoring rehydration group on PID 3 was (35±10) U/L, which was significantly lower than (51±16) U/L in traditional rehydration group (t=4.556, P<0.01). The MAP levels of patients between the two groups on PID 1, 2, and 3 were similar. Within PID 28, the incidence of complications of patients in traditional rehydration group was significantly higher than that in PiCCO monitoring rehydration group (χ(2)=4.995, P<0.05), and the application case number of mechanical ventilation and the mechanical ventilation time of patients between the two groups were similar. Conclusions: The use of PiCCO monitoring technology to guide the early fluid resuscitation of extremely severe burn patients is beneficial for accurate determination of the fluid volume required by the patients and reduction of organ injury caused by improper rehydration.

Abstract

Split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) is widely used to heal wounds resulting from trauma, burns, and chronic wounds. This study aimed to determine the true effect of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on patients with burn wounds requiring STSG during treatment of donor wounds. This randomized, triple-blind clinical trial was conducted on patients who referred to the burn ward of Vasei Hospital of Sabzevar, Iran, from May 2017 to May 2018. The donor site was randomly divided into 2 groups: PRF and control (Vaseline petrolatum gauze) using Vaseline gauze. In the intervention group, the PRF gel was applied to the wound and covered with Vaseline gauze and wet dressing. Conversely, only Vaseline gauze and wet dressing were applied to the control group. Outcome evaluation was conducted using paired t test and Wilcoxon signed rank-sum test, as appropriate, on days 8 and 15. The mean age of the patients was 33.10 +/- 2.60 years, and 51.50% were male. The mean wound healing time in the PRF and control groups was 11.80 +/- 3.51 and 16.30 +/- 4.32 days, respectively (P < .001). The PRF group showed significantly higher wound healing rates than the control group at 8 and 15 days dressing (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). Moreover, the mean wound healing for all wound healing indices diagnosed by 2 specialists in PRF was higher than control group on days 8 and 15 (P < .001). We found a statistically significant difference on days 8 and 15 regarding the mean pain levels between the 2 groups (P < .001). The findings showed that PRF can significantly increase the time and rate of donor wound healing compared with conventional treatment and also reduce the severity of pain.

Abstract

The metabolic consequences in vivo of various balanced solutions are poorly known in critically ill patients. The main objective of this study was to describe the metabolic consequences of Plasmalyte(R) versus Ringer lactate (RL) in critically ill burn patients, with a special focus on the plasma clearance of buffer anions (i.e. gluconate, acetate and lactate). We conducted a randomized trial between August 2017 and October 2018 in a tertiary teaching hospital in Paris, France. Patients with burn total body surface area >30% were randomized to receive Plasmalyte(R) or RL. The primary endpoint was the base excess (BE) 24 hours after inclusion. The secondary endpoints were acetate, gluconate and lactate plasma concentration, the strong ion difference (SID). Twenty-eight patients were randomized. Twenty-four hours after inclusion, plasma BE was not significantly different in the Plasmalyte(R) and RL groups (-0.9 [CI95% -1.8-0.9] vs -2.1 [CI95% -4.6-0.6] mmol/L respectively, p=0.26). Plasma gluconate concentration was higher in the Plasmalyte(R) group (p<0.001) with a maximum level of 1.86 (CI95% 0.98-4.0) mmol/L vs 0 (IC95% 0-0.15) mmol/L. Plasma acetate and lactate were not significantly different. Ionized calcium level was lower in the Plasmalyte(R) group (p=0.002). Hemodynamics did not differ between groups. To conclude, alkalinizing effect of Plasmalyte(R) was less important than expected with no difference in base excess compared to RL, in part due to gluconate accumulation. Acetate and lactate did not significantly accumulate. Plasmalyte(R) led to significantly lower ionized calcium levels.

Abstract

BACKGROUND The indications for use of fibrin glue in skin grafting burn patients remains understudied. The purpose of this study is to review the efficacy of fibrin tissue sealant in skin graft adherence, establish guidelines for use of fibrin tissue sealant, and review the cost effectiveness of fibrin glue. METHODS Publications with the following criteria were included: comparative human studies, autologous skin grafts, and autologous or commercial fibrin sealant. Outcomes assessed included evidence of engraftment, wound closure, rates of hematoma/seroma, graft loss and infection. Meta-analysis obtained pooled odds ratios for outcomes of interest. Cost analysis was performed using data available in the literature. RESULTS 7 studies and 751 interventions (fibrin) and controls (staples) were included in the final analysis. 67.6% grafts with fibrin were 100% adherent by one week, vs. 55.5% (OR 1.45, p=0.086). Complete wound closure by one month was 80.2% with fibrin, vs. 73.3% (OR 1.34, p=0.187). Hematoma/seroma occurred 38.2% with fibrin, vs. 64.7% (OR 0.487, p=0.122). Graft loss was higher in the control group, 21% vs. 12.6% (OR 0.891, p=0.604). Average cost of fibrin glue was $50 per ml, and averaged costs of stapler and staple remover was $30 USD ($10-50). CONCLUSION Fibrin glue is as effective as staples for adhering skin grafts, and trends towards lower rates of hematoma/seroma. In topographically complex regions, fibrin glue may be a better choice for adherence of skin grafts.