The role of multiplatform messaging applications in burns care and rehabilitation: A systematic review.

Background: Multiplatform messaging applications also referred to as cross-platform instant messaging play an important role in delivery of healthcare and education with its low cost, ease of use and accessibility.

Aim: To evaluate the existing evidence regarding the use of multiplatform messaging applications in facilitating consultations and decision-making processes in the context of burns care, as well as to assess the impact of such applications on burns care and rehabilitation.

Method: A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and PROSPERO protocol CRD42021265203.

Barriers and prospects for skin grafting in burn treatment across African countries.

Introduction: The current standard management of full-thickness or deep dermal burns is early tangential excision and skin grafting. A conservative approach to deep burns without the option of skin grafting results in delayed wound healing, possibly leading to wound infection and is associated with hypertrophic scarring and increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to improve the understanding of the management and availability to perform skin grafting for burns on the African continent.

Is the Preoperative Wound Culture Necessary Before Skin Grafting Minor Burns? A Pilot Study in a Low Resource Setting Burn Service.

The most common cited cause of split-thickness skin graft failure is infection and due to the association between bacterial findings in wound beds an attempt to decrease the bacterial burden before skin-grafting evolved. Thus, preoperative microbiology swabs of the wound bed became routine at some institutions prior to grafting. This is not standard practice in the Pietermaritzburg Burn Service.

Factors Predicting Burn Surgery Operative Time in a Middle-Income Country Regional Burn Service.

Access to theater is essential for the surgical management of deep burns. This is a scarce resource in low-middle-income countries. It underpins the importance of optimizing theater time.

Burn injuries in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa: Quantifying the healthcare burden.

Background: Most burn injuries occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and affect those of lower socioeconomic status disproportionally. A multifaceted approach is needed to improve burn outcomes. Healthcare strategies and reform should be data driven, but South Africa (SA) currently lacks sufficient baseline data related to burn injuries.