Review of Indications for Endotracheal Intubation in Burn Patients with Suspected Inhalational Injury.

Inhalation injury is a major contributor to mortality following burn injury. Despite recognised clinical criteria to guide the intubation of burn patients, concerns remain regarding overutilisation of intubation. Complications can arise as a result of intubation, including ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Use of a Synthetic Dermal Matrix for Reconstruction of 55 Patients with Nongraftable Wounds and Management of Complications.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of a completely synthetic dermal matrix (Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix [BTM]) for staged reconstruction of complex wounds. The authors defined complex wounds as wounds not amenable to reconstruction with skin grafting alone due to an inherent avascularity such as the presence of bare bone, tendinous, or neural structures. A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of complex wounds as defined above was carried out.

Management of Hydrocarbon Burns: Considering Mental Health and Biochemical Abnormalities.

Volatile substance misuse, particularly the inhalation of hydrocarbons, is a growing issue globally. Consequences of volatile substance misuse, both acute and chronic cause cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, metabolic, and central nervous system damage. Whilst the effects of hydrocarbon abuse have been reported, the combination of intoxication with hydrocarbon and burns sustained has not yet been presented.

Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix Reconstruction of Complex Perineal Burn Wound: A Case Report.

This case report details our experience using a two-stage Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix (NovoSorb® PolyNovo Ltd) and autograft for acute reconstruction of a complex perineal burn wound in an elderly comorbid patient. A 77-year-old man sustained 42% full-thickness burns extending circumferentially from bilateral thighs and buttocks, across the entire perineal and genital regions up to his mid-trunk, following self-immolation using an accelerant. Early total burn wound excision was carried out with acute application of Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix to all affected sites.

Mycetoma caused by Microsporum canis in a patient with renal transplant: A case report and review of the literature.

Microsporum canis is a dermatophyte known to cause superficial skin infections. In immunocompromised patients, it can lead to invasive dermatophytosis. We present a case of biopsy-proven left knee mycetoma caused by M canis in a renal transplant patient.

A consecutive case series of defects reconstructed using NovoSorb Biodegradable Temporising Matrix: Initial experience and early results.

Background: NovoSorb Biodegradable Temporising Matrix (BTM) is a synthetic dermal template recently approved for treatment of full thickness defects of the skin. It requires a two-stage reconstruction where it is initially placed into a defect to generate a neodermis, which is later covered by a split skin graft. It has previously been described for the treatment of acute full thickness burn injury, necrotising fasciitis and free flap donor site reconstruction.

Retrospective review of dog bite injuries in children presenting to a South Australian tertiary children's hospital emergency department.

Aim: To describe the characteristics, circumstances and consequences of dog bite injuries in children in order to inform the discourse concerning preventative approaches.

Method: A retrospective review of children presenting to the emergency department (ED) of the Women's and Children's Hospital (WCH) in South Australia between the years 2009 and 2011 was performed.

Results: A total of 277 children presented to the WCH with dog bite injuries between 2009 and 2011.

Management of aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp.

Background: Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) is a rare condition commonly affecting the scalp in which there is a focal deficiency of cutaneous tissues of varying severity ranging from an absence of skin through to full thickness defects involving deeper elements such as bone and dura. Lesions of the scalp can be associated with complications including infection, hemorrhage, thrombosis, and seizures. Opinions in the current literature regarding management of this condition are varied with both conservative and surgical management advocated.

Safe and correct use of peripheral intravenous devices.

Background: A peripheral intravenous device (PIVD) provides venous access for the administration of medications, blood products and fluids. They can be associated with a risk of infection and other complications, which have prompted the development of evidence-based guidelines for their use at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH). A previous audit performed at the RAH found unsatisfactory compliance with these guidelines across a group of wards.

Acute pancreatitis due to diabetes: the role of hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance.

Background: The co-existence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) is linked to poor outcomes. Four large epidemiological studies have suggested an aetiological role for DM in AP. The exact nature of this role is poorly understood.

Vitamin D deficiency in burn patients.

Vitamin D deficiency has been reported in pediatric burn patients; however, no formal studies have been conducted in adult burn populations. The available literature on vitamin D status in burn patients has been reviewed. A literature search was conducted using Medline™, the Cochrane central register of controlled trials, and EMBASE to identify any trials of vitamin D deficiency in burn patients.

Burns from hot wheat bags: a public safety issue.

Introduction: Wheat bags are therapeutic devices that are heated in microwaves and commonly used to provide relief from muscle and joint pain. The Royal Adelaide Hospital Burns Unit has observed a number of patients with significant burn injuries resulting from their use. Despite their dangers, the products come with limited safety information.

Social issues prolong elderly burn patient hospitalization.

A retrospective audit of length of hospital inpatient stay of all patients admitted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital Burns Unit over a 5-year period was performed. Data gathered from the Burns Unit database and records allowed patient division into two comparison groups: those younger than 70 years and those aged 70 years or older. Further comparison based on discharge destination was made in the ≥70 years group.

Using biobrane: techniques to make life easier.

Aims: To facilitate the use of Biobrane for those burn care practitioners not familiar with this material.

Methods: Two techniques have been developed through extensive use of Biobrane over many years, in both sheet and glove form. These techniques have been described and illustrated with photographs.