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

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

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

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

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 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.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a life-threatening condition, which occurs in children after sustaining a burn. Often diagnosed retrospectively, many patients may not receive optimal treatment.The primary objective of this study was to evaluate a severe and complex case of TSS at our unit and subsequently conduct a Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-compliant systematic literature review, to identify cases of postthermal injury TSS and evaluate their presentation and management. CASE REPORT A 9-year-old boy with Down syndrome presented with a 7% total body surface area scald to his back and posterior head. Four days after discharge, he developed a fever. The following day, he deteriorated, becoming stridulous and unresponsive. A working diagnosis of TSS was made. The patient's intensive care stay was arduous with multiple complications, including 2 cardiac arrests. METHODS A Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-compliant systematic literature review was conducted. MEDLINE, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched using key terms "burns, thermal injury, scalds, paediatric, child, infant, neonate, toxic shock syndrome" to identify cases. Two authors independently checked each study against inclusion criteria. RESULTS The systematic literature search yielded 9 articles, identifying 40 cases. Ages ranged between 9 months and 8 years. The mean number of days' postburn patients presented with symptoms of TSS was 2.5 days (1-7 days). The most common presenting symptoms were fever (75%), rash (70%), and diarrhea, and/or vomiting (52.5%). Intravenous immunoglobulins were administered in 11 (27.5%) cases. DISCUSSION We have highlighted a case where a possible delayed diagnosis along with the immunodeficiency seen in Down syndrome may have impacted the severity of TSS. The literature review highlighted that a significant proportion of patients do not meet diagnostic criteria. CONCLUSIONS It is fundamental that appropriate diagnostic and management guidelines are developed. Furthermore, this case highlights the importance of educating patient's carers and health professionals of key symptoms to be wary of postburn.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES Major trials examining storage age of blood transfused to critically ill patients administered relatively few blood transfusions. We sought to determine if the storage age of blood affects outcomes when very large amounts of blood are transfused. DESIGN A secondary analysis of the multicenter randomized Transfusion Requirement in Burn Care Evaluation study which compared restrictive and liberal transfusion strategies. SETTING Eighteen tertiary-care burn centers. PATIENTS Transfusion Requirement in Burn Care Evaluation evaluated 345 adults with burns greater than or equal to 20% of the body surface area. We included only the 303 patients that received blood transfusions. INTERVENTIONS The storage ages of all transfused red cell units were collected during Transfusion Requirement in Burn Care Evaluation. A priori measures of storage age were the the mean storage age of all transfused blood and the proportion of all transfused blood considered very old (stored ≥ 35 d). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The primary outcome was the severity of multiple organ dysfunction. Secondary outcomes included time to wound healing, the duration of mechanical ventilation, and in-hospital mortality. There were 6,786 red cell transfusions with a mean (+/- SD) storage age of 25.6 +/- 10.2 days. Participants received a mean of 23.4 +/- 31.2 blood transfusions (range, 1-219) and a mean of 5.3 +/- 10.7 units of very old blood. Neither mean storage age nor proportion of very old blood had any influence on multiple organ dysfunction severity, time to wound healing, or mortality. Duration of ventilation was significantly predicted by both mean blood storage age and the proportion of very old blood, but this was of questionable clinical relevance given extreme variability in duration of ventilation (adjusted r ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Despite massive blood transfusion, including very old blood, the duration of red cell storage did not influence outcome in burn patients. Provision of the oldest blood first by Blood Banks is rational, even for massive transfusion.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that have the potential of proliferation, high self-renewal, and the potential of multilineage differentiation. The differentiation potential of the MSCs in vivo and in vitro has caused these cells to be regarded as potentially appropriate tools for wound healing. After the burn, trauma or removal of the tumor of wide wounds is developed. Although standard treatment for skin wounds is primary healing or skin grafting, they are not always practical mainly because of limited autologous skin grafting. EVIDENCE ACQUISITIONS Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Google Scholar, PubMed (NLM), LISTA (EBSCO), and Web of Science have been searched. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS For clinical use of the MSCs in wound healing, two key issues should be taken into account: First, engineering biocompatible scaffolds clinical use of which leads to the least amount of side effects without any immunologic response and secondly, use of stem cells secretions with the least amount of clinical complications despite their high capability of healing damage. CONCLUSION In light of the MSCs' high capability of proliferation and multilineage differentiation as well as their significant role in modulating immunity, these cells can be used in combination with tissue engineering techniques. Moreover, the MSCs' secretions can be used in cell therapy to heal many types of wounds. The combination of MSCs and PRP aids wound healing which could potentially be used to promote wound healing.