Proceedings of the 2021 American Burn Association State and Future of Burn Science Meeting

Periodically, the American Burn Association (ABA) has convened a State of the Science meeting on various topics representing multiple disciplines within burn care and research. In 2021 at the request of the ABA President, meeting development was guided by the ABA's Burn Science Advisory Panel (BSAP) and a subgroup of meeting chairs. The goal of the meeting was to produce both an evaluation of the current literature and ongoing studies, and to produce a research agenda and/or define subject matter-relevant next steps to advance the field(s). Members of the BSAP defined the topics to be addressed and subsequently solicited for nominations of expert speakers and topic leaders from the ABA's Research Committee. Current background literature for each topic was compiled by the meeting chairs and the library then enhanced by the invited topic and breakout discussion leaders. The meeting was held in New Orleans, LA on November 2nd and 3rd and was formatted to allow for 12 different topics, each with two subtopics, to be addressed. Topic leaders provided a brief overview of each topic to approximately 100 attendees, followed by expert-lead breakout sessions for each topic that allowed for focused discussion among subject matter experts and interested participants. The breakout and topic group leaders worked with the participants to determine research needs and associated next steps including white papers, reviews and in some cases collaborative grant proposals. Here, summaries from each topic area will be presented to highlight the main foci of discussion and associated conclusions.

538 Partial Thickness Pediatric Burn Injuries Treated with Autologous Skin Cell Suspension

Introduction

Management of pediatric burn injuries resulting in optimal aesthetic remains a significant challenge in burn care. Wound care and acute surgical intervention coupled with reconstructive interventions is an essential component of burn care. Incorporation of new technologies in burn care has challenged historic paradigms. Our goal was to evaluate the use of autologous skin cell suspension (ASCS) for the treatment of partial-thickness pediatric burn injuries.

Methods

A retrospective chart review from a single pediatric institution over a 10-month period was performed on patients undergoing treatment with ASCS. Patients with full-thickness injuries treated with autografting were excluded. Demographics and data collection included total burn surface area (TBSA), location of burn, mechanism of burn, time to ASCS application, time to >90% re-epithelization, hospital length of stay, ASCS failure requiring repeat operation, and reconstructive procedures or laser interventions.

Results

26 pediatric patients ≤13 years of age charts were reviewed. 14 patients received ASCS and met inclusion criteria. 8 faces were included in our study along with 11 upper extremity burns, 5 lower extremity burns, and 8 torso burns or some combination of the above. The most common etiology was scald injury from hot water followed by noodle soup burns and grease burns. Other etiologies included road rash, flame burn, and a steam burn. ASCS was applied 2 days (range 1-4) after injuries and patients only required 1 operation. The average length of hospital stay was 4 days (range 1-10) and the average TBSA was 10% (range 4-17). The average time to >90% re-epithelization was 7 days with one outlier with healing at day 24. This is the only patient in the ASCS group that required laser interventions. No patients required repeat procedures, subsequent autografting, or reconstructive procedures.

Conclusions

Pediatric patients with partial-thickness burns benefitted from the ASCS by having limited donor sites, short hospitalizations compared to %TBSA, improved time to >90% re-epithelization, and no repeat surgical interventions. The fast-healing time and good cosmetic outcome decreases the need for compression garments and subsequent laser interventions. Key factors include patient selection and appropriate wound preparation.

504 Starting a Pediatric Burn Center: Challenges Faced in an Underserved Patient Population

Introduction

Burn injury is the third most common cause of childhood injury resulting in death. The CDC recognizing the South as having the highest rate of pediatric burn deaths in the U.S. Unfortunately, 10% of all child abuse cases involve burn injuries and 20% of all pediatric burn admissions are due to nonaccidental trauma. Our study demonstrated that aftercare was a major challenge in starting a pediatric burn center. We analyzed the rate of lost to follow-up in burn-injured children following surgery and our steps to address this need in our community through key partnerships within our state.

Methods

Our study is a single center review of pediatric burn-injured children undergoing surgery from 01/01/2021 through 09/30/2021. Lost to follow-up was defined as three or more consecutive months without clinic or telemedicine visits despite three of more documented communication attempts by attending surgeons and/or clinic staff. Children requiring child protective services (CPS) for suspected nonaccidental trauma were compared to those where nonaccidental trauma was not suspected. All children sustained burn injuries of sufficient severity to require excision and autograft with follow-up in the outpatient clinic. Families were provided with an after-visit summary reviewing the clinic appointment, transportation and meal assistance, and they received a call prior to clinic to remind them of the scheduled appointment.

Results

A total of 35 children required surgery with outpatient follow-up per protocol. 23% of the patients required CPS investigations. We reviewed 151 subsequent clinic visits and the associated cancellations, rescheduled appointments, and no-show visits. Children under the care of CPS had a higher rate of being lost to follow-up (50%) compared to other children (17%). Parents undergoing CPS investigation were 4x less likely to provide cancellation notice. Children placed in foster care had no cancellations, reschedules appointments, or missed visits despite a higher number of clinic visits overall.

Conclusions

Children suffering nonaccidental injuries represent an exceptionally vulnerable portion of our population. Burn injuries often are a public and personal reminder of severe trauma. CPS works to find a balance in securing a safe home while attempting to maintain a family unit. Our work demonstrated an unacceptably high rate of loss to follow-up for children requiring surgical intervention after injury especially in those with concerns for nonaccidental etiologies. As a result, our burn surgeons led an initiative with statewide burn directors and our state’s emergency response network to engage the state’s CPS department. Our goal was to raise awareness and increase education for CPS social workers and foster families on burn injury and aftercare needs.

592 Strategy for Improving Wound Care Compliance in the Outpatient Setting by using Take-home Visual Aids

Introduction

Wound care compliance is a critical component in the success of treating burns in the outpatient setting. Patients and caregivers are educated with demonstration and written materials which have demonstrated a 24-hour retention rate of 30% and 10% respectively. This can leave the patient at higher risk for infection, increased pain from suboptimal dressings, and feelings of frustration. Research has shown that visual learners make up 65% of the population, with auditory learners at 30%, and tactile learners at 5%. We assessed that a combination of demonstration and visual aids could better assist different learning styles and improve wound care compliance. Our study goal was to assess the efficacy of the visual aids component through new patient encounters in the emergency department and outpatient setting using a six-question survey at subsequent encounters.

Methods

The study design is a prospective analysis with comparison to historical controls. Visual aids were designed by the burn physician assistants with assistance at an ABA-verified burn center. We created four double-sided cards made out of a water-resistant synthetic paper, with one for each of our most used dressings. The content of the cards included one of the following: bacitracin/fine mesh gauze with bismuth tribromophenate, bacitracin with low-adherent acetate gauze, silver nylon dressings, and silver foam dressings. Each card contains moulage wounds, step-by-step, and corresponding written instructions at a 4^th grade education reading level. These visual aids were given to patients being discharged from the emergency department, or to new patients in the burn clinic. A six-question survey was administered at one week follow-up encounters with a scale of 1-10 (one being least helpful, and ten being the most helpful) assessing patients understanding of burn wound care and compliance. Compliance rates were abstracted from historical controls with similar burn wound severity.

Results

Limited data is available at the time of submission as the study is currently in-progress and anticipated to be completed by March 2021. We will be using descriptive statistics and comparative analysis to evaluate the results.

Conclusions

Patients initial feedback has been overall positive with a corresponding compliance rate that is successful. Our patients verbalized their approval, with multiple patients stating that they plan to keep the wound care card for any burn injuries that might occur in the future. Additional research is needed to examine the impact of combined demonstration, tactile, and auditory learning aids. In addition, we plan to further expand our engagement effort to include similar wound care cards for pediatric patients as well as language alternative cards to meet our surrounding community's needs.

596 Implementation of a Burn Laser Program at a Children’s Hospital

Introduction

Carbon dioxide ablative fractional laser (CO2-AFL) therapy has become standard of care for adult burn hypertrophic scars (HTS). This therapy option has not been widely adopted in pediatric burn care and no established guidelines for treatment protocols have been published. We sought to modify our American Burn Associated Adult Verified Burn Centers laser protocol at our Children’s Hospital with hopes to provide optimal care to our pediatric burn population. We present our protocol and early experience of CO2-AFL therapy for pediatric burn HTS.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of pediatric burn patients undergoing CO2-AFL treatment of HTS during the study period of Jan 2021-Oct 2021. Pediatric burn patients were offered laser treatment if their scars were symptomatic with patient complaints of HTS, pruritis, neuropathic pain, and scar contractures. 37 pediatric patients ≤13 years of age were included in our review.

Results

We treated 13 pediatric patients for a total of 40 laser sessions with each patient averaging 3 sessions. Of the 13 patients that were treated with laser, 62% (8 of the 13 patients) had split-thickness skin grafting with 38% (3 of the 8 patients) of those having a staged grafting procedure with dermal substitute. 15% (2 of the 13 patients) healed primarily and 15% (2 of the 13 patients) required excision and closure. Only 1 patient treated with ASCS alone required laser therapy. Our protocol requires patients to receive pre-operative Tylenol, Benadryl, Pepcid, and Oxycodone. The patients then received MAC anesthesia with Toradol, Dexamethasone, Ketamine or Propofol, and Zofran. Patients with extensive HTS on the face or neck were intubated for the procedures. Oxycodone and/or Dilaudid were provided if needed in the post-operative phase. All patients were discharged with Tylenol or Motrin and Triamcinolone 0.1% ointment to be applied daily for 48 hours and then 3-4x/day until the follow-up clinic appointment at one week. Patients were able to resume normal activities the day following the procedure.

Conclusions

Patients and their parents have reported improvements in pigment, pliability, thickness, and pruritis following laser treatments. We created a protocol that allows on average 8 pediatric patients per day to receive laser treatment without it over burdening the pre-operative and post-operative recovery room nursing staff. We are currently tracking outliers of patients requiring increased post-operative analgesia and/or greater than 1 hour in the recovery phase. With the implementation of a laser protocol, we have successfully introduced laser therapy as a viable option for our pediatric burn survivors.

813 Histologic Changes of Skin Biopsies After Autologous Skin Cell Suspension

Introduction

Over 10,000 cases of autologous skin cell suspension have been performed around the world for the treatment of burn and soft tissue injuries. A key component of the procedure is the harvest of skin biopsies which are exposed to enzymatic degradation. In some regions, epidermal graft harvest has been attempted manually without enzymatic degradation. Our study goal was to examine the histologic changes of the skin biopsies in manual versus enzymatic degradation.

Methods

Our study was an IRB-approved, prospective controlled analysis of residual skin harvested from 10 patients undergoing hernia repair. Two specimens from each patient were procured intraoperatively with each measuring 2x3cm. Each specimen produced two 4mm punch biopsies from three regions (control, mechanical, and enzymatic) for a total of 12 specimens per patient. Enzymatic specimens were prepared using the Avita Medical ReCell® system per manufacture instructions for use. Mechanical specimens were prepared using an abrasive pad until epidermis was macroscopically removed. Histologic analysis was performed with hematoxylin and eosin stain and whole slide scanning. Two or more investigators reviewed each biopsy concurrently with consensus agreement on the remaining epidermis and evidence of degraded reticular dermis. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the variances in the three groups.

Results

The mean residual epidermis was 9% in the enzymatic group, 35% in the mechanical, and 98% in the control. Epidermal harvest was higher in the enzymatic group relative to the mechanical group (two tailed t-test = 0.0008). Reticular dermis was degraded in 10% of the mechanical specimens and none of the enzymatic specimens.

Conclusions

Epidermal harvest was more consistent in the enzymatic group with less trauma to the dermis. Our study suggest that mechanical harvest requires larger donor sites given the decreased epidermal harvest. Further research is needed to determine impact of cell isolation technique on autograft cell suspension viability and distribution of cell types harvested.

570 Burn-Related Injuries Treated at Two Gulf Coast Hospitals During Following a Category 4 Hurricane

Introduction

Natural disasters are commonly associated with mass destruction and severe injuries. On August 29th, 2021 a category 4 hurricane made landfall before mandatory evacuations were ordered in a major metropolitan community. The powerful storm challenged disaster management teams and first responders as communities struggled to recover. Our study analyzes the demographics of those injured and the injury patterns treated at our state’s only verified burn/trauma center and the adjacent children’s hospital in the aftermath of the hurricane.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed on patients seeking emergent care following the hurricane. Demographic data was abstracted from the medical records along with injury pattern including age, gender, mechanism of injury, total body surface area (TBSA), surgical interventions, and length of stay. In addition, brief surveys of fire chiefs from the two most impacted regions were performed to assess prehospital challenges.

Results

41 patients (76% male) presented to our ER with a median age of 44 (7 patients < 12 years of age). 85% of injuries occurred at home while 15% occurred at work. Of the 78% requiring admission, 66% underwent excision and autograft with a mean TBSA of 17% (range 1-80%). Power outages resulted in increased gas generator usage across the region. Most of the burn injuries following the storm were due to generator and cooking accidents (56%). Each fire chief reported up to 91 calls/day due to suspected carbon monoxide poisoning for the two weeks following the storm. A single event resulted in 8 inhalation injuries treated in our ER with one burn ICU admission. The mean hospital length of stay was 1.11 days/%TBSA for those undergoing surgery.

Conclusions

Hurricanes are more common today with many coastal cities as risk for similar natural disasters. Despite our generator safety media outreach efforts prior to the storm, this remains an opportunity for improved injury prevention. Many patients suffered delays in discharge as their homes/nursing facilities suffered structural damages and were without power and water. Disaster planning should account for limited disposition options during severe storms. Our study is the first to describe burn-related injuries from a category 4 storm and our communities’ response.

725 Case Series: New Porcine Placental ECM for Burn Injuries

Introduction

Human amniotic membrane (HAM) has been used as a biologic dressing for burn wounds since 1955 but limited due to availability, size, and processing costs. In 2021 a new porcine placental product was FDA-approved overcoming challenges with human-sourced products. Our study is the first case series to report outcomes using porcine placental extracellular matrix (PPECM) in the use of adult burn patients.

Methods

Adults with thermal burns resulting in partial-thickness burn wounds (PTBW) were consented and included in the study from 03/2021 to 09/2021. Patients with full-thickness injures, concomitant trauma, or adverse beliefs to porcine products were not included in the study. Serial still images and initial wound measurements were obtained intraoperatively and post-operatively. PPECM trial product processed with a proprietary decellularization method to produce single sheets up to 15x20cm was approved by the facility value assessment committee. Adverse events were defined a priori as infection, increased pain or itching relative to adjacent autografts, or failure to heal. Infection was defined as a PPECM treatment site requiring any change from standard of care or initiation of local or systemic antibiotics. Pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale. Itching was assessed at discharge and follow-up. Healing was assessed using the FDA guidance for wound closure with 2 consecutive visits 2 weeks apart demonstrating 100% epithelialization without drainage or dressing requirements.

Results

Four patients were treated during the study period with wounds involving the torso and major joints such as the hands/wrists and knees. None of the PPECM wounds demonstrated failure to heal or required revision excision, or autograft. None of the PPECM wounds had evidence of infection. PPECM wounds had decreased pain/itching relative to adjacent burn wounds which were treated with split-thickness autograft, autologous skin cell suspension, or allogeneic cultured skin substitute (VAS mean 1 vs 3.1). Healing was noted in all wounds at 1-week primary dressing removal with confirmation at 2-week interval follow-up.

Conclusions

PPECM treatment of PTBW was not associated with adverse events and resulted in favorable outcomes clinically. The large size, ease of use, and lower costs relative to HAM is an intriguing alternative for PTBW. Comparative studies are needed in the field to determine best practices and overall value.

543 Challenges in Burn Nurse and Therapy Staffing During and After a Category 4 Hurricane

Introduction

Burn nurse/therapy staffing has been stretched for months by the pandemic. Along the Gulf Coast, Hurricane Ida recently taxed these resources further as regional burn centers saw a weeks-long surge in serious burn injuries in the setting of prolonged power and water outages. We reviewed the execution of a plan for the provision of burn nurse/therapist staffing at an ABA-verified adult burn center that experienced a direct hit by a Category 4 storm.

Methods

Hospital leadership planned to activate Code Gray on 8/29/21 at which time the hospital would be placed on lockdown with no one allowed in or out until Code Gray was lifted.

Our burn leadership subsequently designed a plan to have ten burn nurses and one Occupational Therapist (TEAM A) in house from the inception of Code Gray at 7am on 8/29 thru 7am on 9/1. If Code Gray conditions persisted, nine dedicated burn nurses (TEAM B) were to relieve TEAM A. TEAM B was planned to remain in-house until 7am on 9/4. If Code Gray conditions continued, the plan was to be reassessed at that time. The same burn therapist was planned to remain in-house throughout. Physician coverage was to be provided by the in-house trauma team during Code Gray. No housing or bedding was provided for in-house personnel, and the hospital generator system ostensibly had a 30-day fuel supply.

Results

TEAM A day/night staffing was 6/4 with the off crew sleeping in conference rooms and clinic spaces. An unexpected event occurred when a mission-critical tower for the city’s grid toppled into a river resulting in delays for restoration of the grid, and city-wide boil-water and burn-ban policies. As generators came into widespread use, our pre-storm census of 9 increased to a mean of 12.7 + 1.4. Due to this increase, on the morning of 9/1 six TEAM A nurses elected to stay and be absorbed into Team B with day/night staffing of 6/6.

The rapid influx in number and complexity of burn patients made it clear a burn surgeon presence was needed during Code Gray. One burn attending was able to make it to the hospital at 7am on 8/30 and worked until being relieved at 7am on 9/5. An informal triage strategy was enacted in which only burns of >10% TBSA would be considered for admission. OR availability went down to 2 + 1 at the inception of Code Gray and 3 + 1 on 9/6. Eleven cases were done during this time with a mean TBSA of 20.2 + 10.7%.

Hospital generators were found to consume fuel at a rate almost twice predicted. Due to prioritization, the hospital went back on city power on 9/2. Code Gray was lifted at 7am on 9/4 and normal operations resumed at 7am on 9/11.

Conclusions

The successful provision of care required a willingness for nurses and one therapist to remain in the hospital for six consecutive days and for hospital administration to approve the overtime.

504 Creative Aftercare Program Amidst Coronavirus Pandemic

Introduction

Coronavirus disease presented itself early in 2019 inducing a considerable degree of fear, worry, and unknown throughout the United States. National and State governed laws imposed social distancing measures, quarantining citizens, and isolating infected persons. Apart from its physical impact, COVID-19 pandemic has brought numerous changes to people’s lives affecting people both physically and psychologically. A key component of quality of life of burn survivors consist of maintaining a long-term burn center connection through support groups. Our burn center developed a virtual format for aftercare to provide psychological support during the pandemic.

Methods

Regular attendees and new burn survivors were contacted by the aftercare specialist from an American Burn Associated verified burn center. Participants were surveyed on the best mode of contact and current addresses were obtained. “Happy Mail” was mailed to support group participants 3 times/month. Items included in these packages ranged from motivational sayings, gift cards, essential oils, candies, art projects, and reminders to log onto the virtual support groups. The gift packages also included a mental health check-in icebreaker. These gift packages took the place of our in-person support groups and contained all materials needed to engage and guide participation in the virtual monthly support group. Participants were then invited to join a social media support group for our local burn center.

Results

Burn survivors continued to receive quality psychosocial support to cope with and process feelings as well as validate emotions. Attendees regularly expressed gratitude in receiving “Happy Mail” as it brought a feeling of connectiveness to a group of burn survivors who rely on each other for peer support. The gift packages also served as a reminder of the upcoming virtual aftercare support groups as our attendance did not see a decline at monthly meetings.

Conclusions

Our experience suggests that a method of offering “Happy Mail” as part of a curriculum to augment virtual aftercare can be a model to adapt to the emotional support burn survivors and their family members need during the pandemic.

561 Impact of Support Group for Teen Burn Survivors

Introduction

The recovery of a burn survivor continues long after the physical wounds are healed. Peer support groups offer survivors an opportunity for psychosocial recovery, particularly in the areas of self-acceptance, changes in perspective, and identity. Multiple published studies have found group support to be beneficial. We identified a need to provide a separate teen burn survivor support group to optimize engagement and to address specific age appropriate discussions.

Methods

The support group included female burn survivors 14–17 years of age. The group sessions were facilitated by a child life specialist and a burn nurse. Meetings were held on the same evenings as adult support groups to allow parents of the teen survivors to attend the adult meeting. During the first meeting, participants were given the opportunity to share topics they would like to discuss, and these were incorporated into the curriculum. Topics specific to teens included identity issues, body image, peer relationships, and what it means to be a burn survivor advocate. Additional outings have been incorporated such as family dinners and movie nights. After 15 months, participants were surveyed on their overall experience.

Results

The group was established in February 2018 and has had a steady participation of teen burn survivors. All teen burn survivors completed the participation survey. All teens strongly agreed their experience was positive, felt more connected to the other participants through the group activities, felt accepted by the other group members, and would recommend the teen support group to other teen burn survivors. Teens rated positive results for learning about themselves as a burn survivor, changing their perspective on their recovery, and the importance of participating in a support group.

Conclusions

Teen burn survivor support group has been shown to be a sustainable method to support these burn survivors and provide them with an opportunity for psychosocial recovery.

Applicability of Research to Practice

By sharing our experience with a teen burn survivor support group, we hope to inspire other burn centers in developing ways that their facility can meet the needs of burn survivors.