The optimal time for excision of scald burns in toddlers.
During the past decade, morbidity and mortality have been shown to be decreased by early excision and grafting in treatment of moderate and large burns. Because of the lack of data on the efficacy of such treatment in scald burns, a retrospective study was done of children under age 4 who were admitted to a burn unit within three days of scald injury. Four groups were examined according to day of first surgical procedure: (1) sooner than five days; (2) 6-10 days; (3) 11-20 days; and (4) later than 20 days. The four groups (similar in age, weight, and percent of TBSA burn) were also analyzed for differences in percent of excised area, blood loss, and length of hospital stay. The amount of excised area in group 1 was significantly larger than in groups 2 and 3, and group 1 also had a significantly greater blood loss. Only in group 4 was the length of stay significantly increased. If excision could be delayed until after day 5, the area excised and the blood loss might be decreased without prolonging hospital stay.
Irei
M
M
Shriners Burns Institute, Galveston, TX 77550.
Abston
S
S
Bonds
E
E
Rutan
T
T
Desai
M
M
Herndon
D N
DN
D002056:Burns / Q000601:surgery*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013997:Time Factors