Five Years Experience With Meek Grafting in the Management of Extensive Burns in an Adult Burn Center.

Background: In extensive burn injuries with lack of donor sites for skin grafting, the Meek technique of skin expansion can be an efficient and effective method in covering extensive wounds. The aim of this retrospective study was to present our experience with the Meek technique of grafting.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients from our burn center who underwent Meek grafting between 2012 and 2016.

Electrical injury - a dual center analysis of patient characteristics, therapeutic specifics and outcome predictors.

Background: Electrical injuries represent life-threatening emergencies. Evidence on differences between high (HVI) and low voltage injuries (LVI) regarding characteristics at presentation, rhabdomyolysis markers, surgical and intensive burn care and outcomes is scarce.

Methods: Consecutive patients admitted to two burn centers for electrical injuries over an 18-year period (1998-2015) were evaluated.

Continuous hemoadsorption with a cytokine adsorber during sepsis - a review of the literature.

Sepsis is a well-recognized healthcare issue worldwide, ultimately resulting in significant mortality, morbidity and resource utilization during and after critical illness. In its most severe form, sepsis causes multi-organ dysfunction that produces a state of critical illness characterized by severe immune dysfunction and catabolism. Sepsis induces the activation of complement factor via 3 pathways and the release of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), resulting in a systemic inflammatory response.

Secondary abdominal compartment syndrome in patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Introduction: Secondary abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is a severe complication in patients admitted to burn intensive care units (BICUs). Unlike patients with thermal burns, patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) present with a different pathophysiology and usually require less fluid.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed our registry of adult patients presenting with TEN in our 8-bed BICU over the course of 11 years and identified and analyzed patients treated for ACS and decompressive laparotomy (DL).

Toxic epidermal necrolysis in pregnancy: case report and review of the literature.

The authors report the case of a 29-year-old pregnant woman (2g1p) in the 16th week of gestation presenting with extensive toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). The cutaneous symptoms began at hands, feet, and in the mouth and developed during the course of 10 days to cover 75% of her TBSA, whereas total epidermolysis was present on more than 40% of her TBSA. Because of progressive swelling and bleeding of the oral mucosa, tracheal intubation was necessary to secure the airway of the patient.

Severe cutaneous adverse reactions: emergency approach to non-burn epidermolytic syndromes.

Introduction: Although severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, are rare, they are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality.

Methods: The current knowledge regarding background, differential diagnoses, critical care and implications for inter-hospital emergency medical service (EMS) transport of these patients is discussed.

Conclusion: SCAR patients will substantially benefit from early interdisciplinary care and thorough consideration of complications during EMS transport and intensive care treatment.

Fulminant, undetected Candida sepsis after an apparently survivable burn injury.

We report a 20-year-old male who suffered smoke inhalation injury and burns covering 26% of his TBSA, including his face, dorsal chest, and both the arms. The Abbreviated Burn Severity Index was 5 (likelihood of survival 95%). He underwent burn surgery, requiring massive transfusion.