Long term sensory function after minor partial thickness burn: a pilot study to determine if recovery is complete or incomplete.
BACKGROUND
Acute burn damages skin architecture, including nerve endings, altering sensation and influencing recovery of quality of life and participation. It is established that sensation is reduced in scars after deep burn. However, it is unclear if sensory deficits exist in mild scars. The aim of this trial was to determine if sensory deficits persist in mature scars after minor partial thickness burn.


METHODS
This observational pilot involved 30 patients with 'good quality' scars (defined as VSS ≤5 at ≥6 months post-burn). Sensory function was compared in scars and site matched uninjured skin using von Frey filaments and two-point discrimination (2-PD). Multivariable regression was used to predict the influence of burn and confounders on sensory outcomes.


RESULTS
Both pressure and 2-PD distance were significantly greater in scar compared to uninjured sites, indicating reduced sensory function. For von Frey filaments, the median was 3.84 (IQR=1) in scars and 3.22 (IQR=1) for uninjured (p=0.001). For 2-PD, the median was 3.9cm (IQR=1.8) for scars and 2.6cm (IQR=1.6) for control sites (p=0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Measureable sensory deficits persist in mature, good quality burn scars. These deficits may influence long-term recovery after minor partial thickness burn.
School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Australia, Australia.
Joel Y
JY
Lim
School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Australia, Australia.
Charis H
CH
Lum
School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Australia, Australia.
Ashley J
AJ
Tan
Fiona Wood Foundation, Perth, WA, Australia.
Teresa
T
Jackson
School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
Sally
S
Burrows
Fiona Wood Foundation, Perth, WA, Australia; Royal Perth Hospital, Burn Service of Western Australia, Australia; Burn Injury Research Unit, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
Dale W
DW
Edgar
Fiona Wood Foundation, Perth, WA, Australia; Royal Perth Hospital, Burn Service of Western Australia, Australia; Burn Injury Research Unit, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia. Electronic address: Fiona.wood@health.wa.gov.au.
Fiona M
FM
Wood
D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D012867:Skin; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
Burns; Outcomes; Scar; Semmes Weinstein filaments; Sensory function; Two-point discrimination; Vancouver scar scale; von Frey filament