Clinical evaluation of negative-pressure wound therapy in the management of electrical burns

Abstract

BACKGROUND:In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in the treatment of the patients with electrical burns. METHODS:This study was retrospectively performed using a database placed prospectively in the burn center of our hospital. All consecutive patients with electrical burns treated using NPWT at our center between August 2008 and December 2012 were included. The treatment results in our study were grouped as successful or unsuccessful considering the treatment objectives in accordance with therapy indications. RESULTS:In total, 39 patients were included in our study; of them, 36 (92.3%) were men. The average age was 34.9±9.8 years (range, 17-63 years). The majority of the patients in our study (92.3%) had been exposed to high voltage electricity. The mean total burned body surface area (TBSA) was 19.3±9.8 (range, 4-44). Six patients (15.4%) had TBSAs ≥30%, 31 (79.5%) had third degree burns, and 8 (20.5%) had fourth degree burns. In our study, indications of NPWT included bone and/or tendon exposed deep wounds that are not suitable for early grafting or flap applications owing to the lack of supporting tissue in 27 (69.2%) patients, graft fixation in 8 (20.5%) patients, and secondary grafting following graft loss in 4 (10.3%) patients. The general success rate of NPWT was 90.7% according to indications and treatment objectives in our study. CONCLUSION:In the light of our results, NPWT may contribute to the present conventional treatments used in severe electrical burns.

Reconstruction of Giant Defects Due to Electrical and Radiation Burns in the Lower Leg with Free Anterolateral Thigh Flaps

“…Refractory large defects extensively encompassing the lower leg are difficult to repair non-surgically 27 . Negative pressure wound therapy with cultured granulation skin graft is commonly used to repair wounds, but this method alone barley achieves a permanent coverage of the poorly vascularized tissues such as bones and tendons 28 . The cross-leg flap can be used for repairing large defects, but requires to attach the donor leg for 3 to 6 weeks, which greatly extends patient discomfort.…”

Impact of an interventional program on nurses practices regarding initial burn management

“…6 Inhalation burn complicates flame burns and increases morbidity and mortality. 7 Electrical burn injury places patients at risk for cardiac arrest, metabolic acidosis, and myoglobinuria. 8 .Circumferential full-thickness burns to extremities compromise circulation and require escharotomy or fasciotomy.…”

Comprehensive analysis of lncRNA and miRNA expression profiles and ceRNA network construction in negative pressure wound therapy

“…Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a revolutionary and innovative wound treatment for various complex wounds. Since its development in the 1990s (1), the therapy is now widely used in clinical treatment with favorable clinical results (2)(3)(4)(5). NPWT promotes wound healing through multiple mechanisms.…”