Mortality and causes of death of Dutch burn patients during the period 2006-2011.

Introduction: Mortality of burn patients has decreased in the last decades. Literature indicates that the leading cause of death in late mortality is multiple organ failure (MOF), but literature is not clear about the cause of early mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the mortality and causes of death of burn patients in Dutch burn centers between January 2006 and December 2011.

Autologous skin substitute for hard-to-heal ulcers: retrospective analysis on safety, applicability, and efficacy in an outpatient and hospitalized setting.

Chronic ulcers ((arterio)venous, decubitus, or postoperative) have no tendency to heal within a period of at least 3 months despite optimal therapy according to internationally accepted guidelines. This retrospective study evaluates the safety and efficacy of an autologous, dermal-epidermal skin substitute (SS) for treating ulcers of various origins. Ulcers were treated within 7 Dutch centers over 5 years.

Outcome after burns: an observational study on burn scar maturation and predictors for severe scarring.

Long-term outcome of burn scars as well as the relation with clinically relevant parameters has not been studied quantitatively. Therefore, we conducted a detailed analysis on the clinical changes of burn scars in a longitudinal setup. In addition, we focused on the differences in scar quality in relation to the depth, etiology of the burn wound and age of the patient.

Steam inhalation therapy: severe scalds as an adverse side effect.

Background: Steam inhalation therapy is often recommended in the treatment of a common cold. However, it has no proven benefit and may in fact have serious adverse side effects in terms of burn injuries.

Aim: To quantify the human and economic costs of steam inhalation therapy in terms of burn injury.