Transfusion Requirement in Burn Care Evaluation (TRIBE): A Multicenter Randomized Prospective Trial of Blood Transfusion in Major Burn Injury.

Objective: Our objective was to compare outcomes of a restrictive to a liberal red cell transfusion strategy in 20% or more total body surface area (TBSA) burn patients. We hypothesized that the restrictive group would have less blood stream infection (BSI), organ dysfunction, and mortality.

Background: Patients with major burns have major (>1 blood volume) transfusion requirements.

Positive fungal cultures in burn patients: a multicenter review.

Fungal infections are increasingly common in burn patients. We performed this study to determine the incidence and outcomes of fungal cultures in acutely burned patients. Members of the American Burn Association's Multicenter Trials Group were asked to review patients admitted during 2002-2003 who developed one or more cultures positive for fungal organisms.

Effect of blood transfusion on outcome after major burn injury: a multicenter study.

Objective: To delineate blood transfusion practices and outcomes in patients with major burn injury.

Context: Patients with major burn injury frequently require multiple blood transfusions; however, the effect of blood transfusion after major burn injury has had limited study.

Design: Multicenter retrospective cohort analysis.

Effects of oxandrolone on outcome measures in the severely burned: a multicenter prospective randomized double-blind trial.

Severe burns induce pathophysiologic problems, among them catabolism of lean mass, leading to protracted hospitalization and prolonged recovery. Oxandrolone is an anabolic agent shown to decrease lean mass catabolism and improve wound healing in the severely burned patients. We enrolled 81 adult subjects with burns 20% to 60% TBSA in a multicenter trial testing the effects of oxandrolone on length of hospital stay.

Tracheostomy in thermally injured patients: does diagnosis-related group 483 adequately estimate resource use and hospital costs?

Background: This study compares burn and nonburn patients undergoing tracheostomy, all of whom were assigned to diagnosis-related group 483 to determine hospital reimbursement.

Methods: We reviewed the records of all inpatients admitted to our hospital from January 2000 through December 2001 who underwent tracheostomy and who were assigned to diagnosis-related group 483. In addition, we compared our burn patient data with that from three other burn centers and the National Burn Repository.

Treatment of the exposed Achilles tendon using negative pressure wound therapy: a case report.

Exposed tendons after burn injury create a surgical challenge for the treating physician. This is particularly true with regard to the exposed Achilles tendon. This case report reviews the nature of this challenge and traditional solutions, and describes the use of negative pressure wound therapy to facilitate coverage of the Achilles tendon.