Cold burns as a result of cosmetic cryolipolysis: An emerging concern from the NSW Statewide Burn Injury Service.

Cold burns are an uncommon mechanism of burn injury in Australia, where environmental exposure to freezing temperatures is rare. Aetiological research shows that most likely causes are related to intentional injury or industrial accidents Cryolipolysis, a cosmetic technique advertised as 'fat freezing', has recently emerged as a method of fat reduction and body contouring. Whilst perceived as safe, this study presents the world's first case series on cold burns sustained from cryolipolysis.

Alginate Dressings Continuously for 14 Days on Uncontaminated, Superficial, Partial Thickness Burns.

Calcium alginate dressings are commonly used on split-thickness skin donor sites, where they are typically removed after 14 days. Alginates have been used previously on superficial, partial thickness burns, but changed every 3 to 5 days. In this study, alginates were applied to superficial, partial thickness burns on adults within 36 hours of injury, then left intact for up to 14 days.

Wound healing and dermal regeneration in severe burn patients treated with NovoSorb® Biodegradable Temporising Matrix: A prospective clinical study.

Introduction: For extensive burns, autologous donor skin may be insufficient for early debridement and grafting in a single stage. A novel, synthetic polyurethane dermal template (NovoSorb® Biodegradable Temporising Matrix, BTM) was developed to address this need. The aim of this study was to evaluate use of BTM for primary dermal repair after deep burn injury.

Effectiveness and safety of ablative fractional CO laser for the treatment of burn scars: A case-control study.

Background: Burn scars are a major clinical challenge. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of one treatment with the ablative fractional CO laser (AFL-CO) compared to standard burn scar treatment.

Method: From December 2014 to October 2018 patients were prospectively recruited and treatment effects analyzed by assessing various outcome parameters from the date of first consultation and after treatment.

Treatment of Partial Thickness Burns: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Four Routinely Used Burns Dressings in an Ambulatory Care Setting.

This prospective, randomized controlled trial study compared the effects of four dressings for adult partial thickness burns, focusing on re-epithelialization time and cost effectiveness. Adults with partial thickness burns meeting inclusion criteria were randomized to either Biobrane™, Acticoat™, Mepilex® Ag, or Aquacel® Ag. Primary endpoint for analysis was >95% re-epithelialization.

Foot burns: A comparative analysis of diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

Introduction: Foot burns represent a small part of the body with many challenges. The impact of diabetes on clinical outcomes adds further issues in management that clinicians must consider in their management. These factors have serious implications on morbidity and long term sequelae.

Ablative fractional resurfacing for burn scar management affects the number and type of elective surgical reconstructive procedures, hospital admission patterns as well as length of stay.

Background: Reconstructive surgery remains the main approach to address burn scar contractures. Ablative fractional resurfacing is an increasingly popular tool for severe burn scar management, but its effect on overall burns reconstructive case-mix, operating time and patterns of hospital admission have not been reported.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of hospital administrative data from September 2013 to June 2017 was performed evaluating these effects of ablative fractional CO laser (CO-AFL).

First aid is associated with improved outcomes in large body surface area burns.

Background: Animal studies indicate treating burn injuries with running water (first aid) for 20 min up to 3 h after burn reduces healing time and scarring. We have previously demonstrated the benefits of first aid in minor burn injuries with respect to a reduction in wound depth, faster healing, and decreased skin grafting utilisation. The purpose of this cohort study was to assess the effect of first aid on clinical outcomes in large body surface area burn injuries (≥20%).

Ablative fractional resurfacing with laser-facilitated steroid delivery for burn scar management: Does the depth of laser penetration matter?

Background And Objective: To investigate whether the depth of ablative fractional CO laser (CO -AFL) penetration of pathological burn scars influences clinical outcomes.

Study Design/materials And Methods: All patients presenting to the Concord Repatriation General Hospital (CRGH) Scar Clinic received ultrasound measurement at the thickest point of their burn scars. Subsequently, the effect of various CO -AFL settings (energy which correlates to penetration depths) on different outcome parameters was analysed.

The optimal timing of outpatient Biobrane™ application for superficial and mid dermal partial thickness burns: Evidence for the '12-hour rule'.

Background: Biobrane™ is a skin substitute used for the definitive management of partial thickness burns. No studies have examined the optimal timing of Biobrane™ application in this setting. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was a clinically significant difference in applying Biobrane to a superficial and mid dermal partial thickness burn within 12h after burn.

First aid improves clinical outcomes in burn injuries: Evidence from a cohort study of 4918 patients.

Background: Animal studies indicate treating burn injuries with running water (first aid) for 20min up to 3h post-burn reduces healing time and scarring. There is a lack of human data to support such a recommendation. The purpose of this cohort study was to assess the effect of first aid on clinical outcomes.

Burn injury: Challenges and advances in burn wound healing, infection, pain and scarring.

Severe burn injuries are the most traumatic and physically debilitating injuries affecting nearly every organ system and leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Early burn wound excision and skin grafting are common clinical practices that have significantly improved the outcomes for severe burn injured patients by reducing mortality rate and days of hospital stay. However, slow wound healing, infection, pain, and hypertrophic scarring continue to remain a major challenge in burn research and management.

Efficacy of dermal substitute on deep dermal to full thickness burn injury: a systematic review.

Background: The study aims to systematically examine the efficacy of dermal regeneration templates (DRTs) in comparison to split thickness skin grafting (STSG) in the management of acute burn injuries post-excision and debridement.

Methods: Systematic literature search was conducted by two independent reviewers from the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library with selection criteria set a priori. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included.

The Effects of Dietary Macronutrient Balance on Skin Structure in Aging Male and Female Mice.

Nutrition influences skin structure; however, a systematic investigation into how energy and macronutrients (protein, carbohydrate and fat) affects the skin has yet to be conducted. We evaluated the associations between macronutrients, energy intake and skin structure in mice fed 25 experimental diets and a control diet for 15 months using the Geometric Framework, a novel method of nutritional analysis. Skin structure was associated with the ratio of dietary macronutrients eaten, not energy intake, and the nature of the effect differed between the sexes.

Ablative fractional CO laser for burn scar reconstruction: An extensive subjective and objective short-term outcome analysis of a prospective treatment cohort.

Background: The introduction of ablative fractional CO lasers (CO-AFL) for burn scar management shows promising results. Whilst recent studies have focused on objective scar outcomes following CO-AFL treatment, to date no data on patient subjective factors such as quality of life are available.

Methods: A prospective study was initiated to analyze the safety and efficacy of the CO-AFL.

Pediatric Treadmill Burns: Assessing the effectiveness of prevention strategies.

Purpose: Legislative changes in 2008 in Australia mandated that all new treadmills display a warning sticker about the risk of friction burns in children. This was accompanied by a health promotion campaign advising of the risks of treadmills to children.

Methods: Analyses of pediatric burns data identified all cases of treadmill burns occurring between 2005 and 2014.

Microbiological findings in burn patients treated in a general versus a designated intensive care unit: Effect on length of stay.

Background: Infection is one of the most common causes of mortality and morbidity in burn patients. The incidence and frequency of microbiological micro-organisms are known to vary across different models of intensive care units. To date, no study has attempted to describe the different findings in burn patients treated in an open, general intensive care unit (GICU) versus a dedicated burns intensive care unit (BICU).

Spatial analysis of pediatric burns shows geographical clustering of burns and 'hotspots' of risk factors in New South Wales, Australia.

Objective: Pediatric burns are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, and it is estimated that more than 80% are preventable. Studies among adults have shown that burns risk are geographically clustered, and higher in socioeconomically-disadvantaged areas. Few studies among children have examined whether burns are geographically clustered, and if burn prevention programs are best targeted to high-risk areas.

Perineal tap water burns in the elderly: at what cost?

Background: Burn injuries are expensive to treat. Burn injuries have been found to be difficult to treat in elderly patients than their younger counterparts. This is likely to result in higher financial burden on the healthcare system; however, no population-specific study has been conducted to ascertain the inpatient treatment costs of elderly patients with hot tap water burns.

The speech-language pathologist's role in multidisciplinary burn care: An international perspective.

Purpose: To explore international practices of speech-language pathology (SLP) within burn care in order to provide direction for education, training and clinical practice of the burns multidisciplinary team (MDT).

Method(s): A 17-item online survey was designed by two SLPs experienced in burn care with a range of dichotomous, multiple choice and open-ended response questions investigating the availability and scope of practice for SLPs associated with burn units. The survey was distributed via professional burn association gatekeepers.

Risk factors for, and the effect of MRSA colonization on the clinical outcomes of severely burnt patients.

Background: MRSA is an on-going problem for burn patients.

Aim: To analyze risk factors for, and the effect of MRSA colonization on burn patients' outcome.

Methods: During 21 months burn patients' details and MRSA isolates were analyzed, and a case-control study performed.