Delayed Grafting as a Valid Technique in Burn Management: Experience from a Burn Unit in Oman

Background: Early excision and grafting has been the preferred method of managing major burns around the world since 1970. Considering the advances in health care and the development of new antibiotics over the past 50 years, delayed grafting as a technique for the management of burns over 15%-20% of total body surface area (TBSA) could have comparable results to that of early excision. This study aims to highlight the outcomes of practicing delayed grafting in burn patients. Methods: A case series analysis was performed of 51 patients who were admitted to the burns unit in Sultan Qaboos Hospital Salalah with over 20% TBSA between January 2014 and December 2019. The patients received prophylactic antibiotics and silver sulphadiazine dressing until the burn eschar had completely separated, followed by grafting. Results: Two patients were lost during the entire duration of the study. The mortality rate was comparable to that of early excision, while the rate of hypertrophic scarring was lower than the range reported by other studies. Conclusion: In the management of patients with over 20% TBSA, delayed grafting after complete separation of eschar is still a valid technique.

Isolation of Microorganisms According to Burned Body Surface: Experience in a Reference Center in Mexico City

Background: Burns is one of the most common and severe forms of trauma, as they cause an alteration in the protective barrier exerted by the skin. The objective of this work is to describe the bacterial pathogens that cause infections in the different body segments as well as to know the susceptibility in patients with burns during a period of two years. Methods: This study was conducted over a period of 2 years, January 2017 to January 2019. The analysis of the isolated microbiological agents was obtained from culture samples in different anatomic areas. The variables were measured in the general population and also by groups, considering: age, sex, TBSA with Wallace's rule of nine, anatomic area affected, type of burn, depth of burn, microorganism reported in cultures, antibiotics empirically administered and mortality rate. Results: Regardless of the anatomical segment studied, the most frequently isolated microorganism was Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Conclusions: Identification of the microorganisms that cause infection reduces the hospital stay, as well as the admission to the ICU. A fundamental research guideline is to pay more attention to the post-burn consequences, and the sequelae and functional limitations that it entails, since few since few studies focus on this aspect.

Surgical outcomes in adults with purpura fulminans:a systematic review and patientlevel meta-synthesis

Background:Cutaneous manifestations of purpura fulminans(PF)present many challenges for clinicians and surgeons.In a state of septic shock complicated by limb ischemia,surgical interventions are necessary to control the pathological cascade and improve patient outcomes.The objective of this article was to report etiologies and surgical outcomes associated with cutaneous manifestations in adults.Methods:This systematic review and meta-analysis compared 190 adult patients with etiologies,signs and symptoms,and surgical outcomes associated with cutaneous manifestations of PF.The PubMed,EMBASE,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,and Scopus databases were systematically and independently searched.Patient and clinical characteristics,surgical interventions,outcomes,and complications were recorded.Results:Seventy-nine studies were eligible for the systematic review,and 77 were eligible for meta-analysis using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis(PRISMA)and Cochrane guidelines.A total of 71/190(38%)cases reported surgical debridement.Fasciotomies were reported in 12/190(6%)cases and 20 procedures.Amputations were reported in 154/190(81%)cases.Reconstruction was reported in 45 cases.Skin grafts were applied in 31 cases.Flaps were used for reconstruction in 28 cases.Median(IQR)surgical procedures per patient were 4(4,5)procedures.Infectious organisms causing PF were 32%Neisseria meningitidis(n=55)and 32%Streptococcus pneumonia(n=55).Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus(95%confidence interval(CI)(8.2–177.9),p=0.032),Haemophilus influenza(95%CI(7.2–133),p=0.029),Streptococcus pneumonia(95%CI(13.3–75.9),p=0.006),and West Nile Virus(95%CI(8.2–177.9),p=0.032)were associated with significantly more extensive amputations compared to other organisms.Conclusion:This systematic review and patient-level meta-analysis found the most common presentation of PF was septic shock from an infectious organism.Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumonia were equally the most common organisms associated with PF.The majority of cases were not treated in a burn center.The most common surgeries were amputations,with below-the-knee-amputations being the most common procedure.Skin grafting was the most commonly performed reconstructive procedure.The most common complications were secondary infections.Organisms with significantly more extensive amputations were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus,Haemophilus influenza,Streptococcus pneumonia,and West Nile Virus.Interpretation of findings should be cautioned due to limited sample data.