Burns unit in Stockholm: a report on patients treated 1971--1975 for acute burn injuries

Trends in burn admissions in Scotland during 1970-92

This retrospective study involved analysis of the data of the inpatients discharged with a diagnosis of burns, from various hospitals in Scotland, during the period 1970-92. There were 51,350 such inpatients all over Scotland, with an average annual rate of 2233 cases. Overall burn incidence in actual numbers was 43.7 per cent in < 15 year olds, 41.2 per cent in 15-64 year olds and 15.1 per cent in > or = 65 year olds. Burn rates per 100,000 population were highest in < 15 year olds and lowest in 16-64 year olds. The pattern of burn admissions has changed. Since 1987 the highest numbers of burn inpatients were the 16-64 year olds, followed by children, then the elderly. There has been a gradual but sustained fall in burns admissions in all age categories. The downward trend was statistically significant (t = 8.48, 21 d.f., P < 0.001). Though the population of the elderly (> or = 65 year olds) increased by about 13 per cent, the burn admissions and all deaths due to burns did not reveal an upward trend. The population of the old (81+ year olds) increased by 60 per cent during the same period. The incidence of burns was above average when > 80 year olds were considered separately, approaching the levels found in children. However the rate and incidence of burns in the 65-80 year olds resembled that of the younger age group (16-64 year olds). The total number of deaths due to burns and/or smoke inhalation has declined in all age groups and the decline has been statistically significant (chi-squared = 19.62, 1 d.f., P < 0.001). Maximum number of deaths occurred in > or = 65 year olds (44 per cent), followed closely by 16-64 year olds (43.5 per cent), and 12.5 per cent of deaths in adolescents and children. The decline was due to improved management of burns and a decrease in the number of patients having large body surface area burns.

The pattern and outcome of burn injuries at a burn unit in Saudi Arabia: Retrospective analysis of consecutive 501 patients

We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 501 consecutive patients with burn injuries who were seen between June 1983 and December 1988. The population consisted predominantly of young patients under 20 years of age (53%); 65% were males and 72% were Saudi nationals. Most burn injuries were the result of domestic accidents (75%) and scald burns were the cause in 55% of patients. There was an inhospital mortality of 8% during first hospitalizations. Multivariate analysis identified several independent adverse prognostic factors: increased total burn surface area, inhalation injury, thrombophlebitis, documented septicemia, and deep circumferential burn over the extremities. Using these poor prognostic factors, we were able to stratify patients into three risk categories, each presenting a significant difference in the probability of survival. Our analysis yielded data about the pattern of burn injuries, prognostic factors, and outcome at a dedicated burn unit in Saudi Arabia.

Epidemiology of burns due to domestic flammable agents

An analysis of the epidemiological factors relating to domestic flammable agents has shown that 17.7 per cent of admissions over a 5-year period were involved in domestic flammable injuries; 87.7 per cent of the patients were male, with 38.9 per cent being young males between 12 and 19 years old. Petrol and diesel accounted for 56.8 per cent of the burns and the average body surface area burned was 17.7 per cent. Most commonly the face, hands and limbs were burned, and the average length of stay was 18.25 days, 69.2 per cent of the burns were due to human error and were thus potentially preventable, 21.2 per cent had predisposing conditions with 8.9 per cent being due to alcohol. It was considered that the strategies to prevent these burns injuries should be aimed particularly at young males.

Problems associated with transfer of patients to a regional burns unit

A prospective survey was conducted of all patients requiring admission to the Regional Burns Centre for South East Scotland at Bangour Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh. All patients admitted between May 1983 and April 1984 were studied. Details were obtained about the cause and extent of the burn, the immediate first aid measures provided, causes for delay in arrival at the Burns Centre and, when appropriate, the initial care and its adequacy before transferring the victim from another hospital. A total of 276 patients were studied, of whom 152 were transferred. Early management by referring hospitals was often far from ideal, with errors in initial care that should have been avoided.