The Pattern and Outcome of Burn Injuries at a Burn Unit in Saudi Arabia: Retrospective Analysis of Consecutive 501 Patients

Abstract

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 representing 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.

Pattern of Burn Injuries at King Fahad Hospital, Al-Baha: A Study of 277 Cases

“…The general sex distribution (male to female ratio of 1.5:1) is comparable with that reported by others. 2,11,[14][15][16]19 However, males were more affected than females above 20 years of age (ratio of 3.5:1) compared with a ratio of 1.3:1 related cases in the 10 years or less category, which is in agreement with the figures reported by others.…”

“…[14][15][16][17][18] The present report, in contrast, was based on a retrospective review of medical records of the burn cases admitted to the general surgical wards at KFH, Al-Baha. Our study was carried out with the objective of describing the patterns of burns in the hospital rather than estimating their total incidence in the community.…”

“…Electric and chemical burns constituted 11.2% of the cases, whereas they were less in other reports. 11,14,15,19 Burns at work occurred predominantly among expatriates from low socioeconomic status working as manual or semi-skilled workers. A high incidence of burns among the lower socioeconomic class has been alluded to by some authors.…”

“…It was of interest that the majority of burns were relatively small in area, similar to other figures. 11,14,15,19,20 This is a reflection of an overwhelming number of scalds, which caused significantly less severe burns. It is also probably due to admitting minor burns, which could be treated on an outpatient basis, into the hospital because of social circumstances, i.e., the parents cannot take care of their burned child or live in a remote area.…”

“…These observations are not new and are consistent with those reported by others. 14,15,17,19 Gas cylinder accidents featured in 38.5% of flame burns, reflecting the careless handling of this commonly used cooking facility. Others showed similar observation.…”