Rajeev B. Ahuja

Burns and fires from non-electric domestic appliances in low and middle income countries Part I. The scope of the problem

Severe burn is a major public health issue in developing nations. Although burn and smoke inhalation in 2002 were documented as being responsible for over 322,000 deaths worldwide, this figure is most likely a gross underestimate. The burden of suffering from fire is exceedingly distributed among the poor. A large proportion of burns are related to the nature of domestic appliances that are used for cooking, heating, lighting or all three. We undertook a retrospective review of the literature as well as analyzing our institutional and regional experiences with injuries caused by non-electric domestic appliances. The incidence of injuries is largely associated with the use of stoves and lamps; and from kerosene or petroleum as well as butane, liquid petroleum gas and alcohol. Associated problems include appliance design and construction, fuel combustion and instability, and mechanical inefficiency. Ignorance of safe usage techniques is also contributory. Industry and government regulations and standards are either nonexistent or not adequately enforced. Solving this substantial problem will depend on improved surveillance by means of formal epidemiologic studies, and the contributions and collaboration of international governmental and nongovernmental organizations.

An analysis of 11,196 burn admissions and evaluation of conservative management techniques

We present an 8-year analysis (1993-2000) of 11,196 burn admissions with an average of 116.6 patients per month. Patients were largely treated by conservative techniques. The mean burn percentage was 50.35. Almost 80% of admissions were in the 16-55 years age group. Paediatric and geriatric burns were 17.1 and 3.1%, respectively. Flame burns accounted for 82.15% of admissions and of these 77.5% were sustained in the kitchen. A total of 35.32% of flame accidents were due to malfunctioning kerosene pressure stove. The overall mortality was 51.80%. These figures need further qualification because 46.8% of patients had more than 50% BSA burns and 50.72% patients reported to the hospital more than 6h after sustaining burns. Patients with <60% BSA burns, and who were received within 6h of injury had a mortality of 23% only. Significantly, 1078/1952 deaths (55.23%) of patients <60% BSA burns took place in first 6 days of admission when 3639 patients with <60% BSA injury were received more than 6h after burn injury. This reflects that even if economic constraints preclude one from having the best infrastructure reasonable mortality rates are still achievable with conservative line of management, even in face of a heavy work load. This also makes one question the cost effectiveness of high cost technology in burn management.

Changing trends of an endemic trauma

The incidence of severe burn is extremely high in the Low and Middle Income Countries with an estimated 90% of the world incidence of which 50% is in South East Asia. Through an earlier analysis of 11,196 burn admission over 8 years (1993-2000--Phase I) to our burn unit we established the endemic nature of the injury [Ahuja RB, Bhattacharya S. An analysis of 11,196 burn admissions and evaluation of conservative management techniques. Burns 2002;28:555-61]. A continued analysis of 5566 burn admissions over the next 7 years (2001-2007--Phase II) and its comparison with the Phase I reveals a significant change in the epidemiological profile. The average yearly admissions have fallen by 43.14%, from 1399.5 patients in Phase I to 795.14 patients in Phase II. This fall in average yearly admissions is predominant in the age group 16-35 years (52.61% decline) and 36-55 years (46.51% decline). The overall female to male ratio has also changed from 1.26:1 to 0.91:1. However, the overall mean %TBSA burn has reduced only mildly from 49.12% TBSA in Phase I to 44.39% in Phase II. During Phase II there was also a significant decline of 46.93% and 56.25% in the yearly admission of flame and scald burn respectively. Non-intentional incidents still remain the main mode of injury accounting for 87.12% in Phase I and 89.89% in Phase II. But, the yearly admissions of non-intentional burns fell from 1219.25 in Phase I to 714.71 in Phase II, which is a significant drop of 41.38%. Kitchen continues to dominate as the main location for flame incidents, but the yearly admission rate from kitchen accidents dropped from 897.5 patients in Phase I to 368.43 patients in Phase II. At the same time, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) leaks which accounted for only 0.72% of all kitchen accidents in Phase I rose to 10.74% in Phase II. Another redeeming feature is the reduction in overall mortality from 51.8% in Phase I to 40.20% in Phase II. Interestingly, a very significant negative correlation exists (being significant at 0.01 level--2 tailed) between burn admissions and the yearly per-capita income of Delhi, from 1993 to 2005, to prove that the incidence and profile of burns directly reflects the economic development of the society. We see this as the first long term study from a burn unit of a developing country to directly reflect this association of burn incidence and its changing profile with economic prosperity.

Burns and injuries from non-electric-appliance fires in low- and middle-income countries Part II. A strategy for intervention using the Haddon Matrix

A large proportion of burns in developing countries are related to the nature of domestic appliances used for cooking, heating, and lighting. Our overview of the problem elucidated the need for better surveillance with epidemiologic studies, which will more accurately assess the true incidence in vulnerable populations. This paper will create a framework for envisaging new approaches to the problem and begin to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of proposed interventions. We used the Haddon Matrix to accumulate proposed interventions that encompass a pre-event, event, and post-event timeline. We propose an initial strategic outline plan for interventions based on values that are suited to the problem and the setting, are culturally appropriate, and can be employed in a reasonable period of time for a sustained period to ensure success. Recommended action steps include promoting the use of alternative energy sources, encouraging an integrated approach to finding interdisciplinary solutions, devising a better system of kerosene containerization, re-engineering appliance designs, legislating for enforcement of health and safety standards, taking a holistic approach through government inter-departmental collaboration, formally discouraging corruption, encouraging ventilation of cooking or living areas, implementing building codes, educating consumers, and training caregivers and health and emergency workers.

A four arm, double blind, randomized and placebo controlled study of pregabalin in the management of post-burn pruritus

Post-burn itch is a distressing symptom in burns rehabilitation and its treatment often proves frustrating for the patient and the multidisciplinary burns team. Traditionally, the mainstay of antipruritic therapy for decades has been antihistamines and massage with emollients. With a better understanding of the neurophysiology of itch emerged a new dimension in the treatment of post-burn pruritus. Gabapentin, a centrally modulating anti-epileptic agent and α2δ ligand, proved in clinical trials to be immensely better in the treatment of post-burn pruritus. Pregabalin is a newer structural analog of gabapentin. It has a much better anxiolytic effect and pharmacokinetic profile as compared to gabapentin. The current study was initiated to specifically study the role of pregabalin in relieving post-burn itch as this has never been investigated before. This double blind, randomized and placebo controlled study had four arms and was carried out on 80 adult patients (20 each). The four arms were: pregabalin, cetirizine with pheniramine maleate, combination of pregabalin, cetirizine and pheniramine maleate, and placebo (vit. B comp.). Massage with coconut oil was integral to all groups. Drug dosage was determined by initial VAS (visual analog scale) scores. All groups matched in demographic data and initial VAS scores. VAS scores were evaluated over next 28 days (days 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28). In patients with mild itch (VAS scores 2-5) or moderate itch (VAS scores 6-8) near complete remission of itch was seen in combination group and pregabalin group where the response was comparable and close to 95%. This was significantly better response than antihistaminic combination or massage alone. However, massage alone was sufficient in decreasing mean scores in mild itch, in a large percentage of patients. Amongst the patients with severe itch (VAS scores 9-10), 3/6 and 6/7 patients dropped out of trial in the antihistaminic and placebo groups, respectively. Combination therapy and pregabalin alone had exactly similar decrease in itch scores by day 28 (78.9%). This far exceeded the response in the antihistaminic and placebo groups (23.9% and 9.2% respectively). We conclude that moderate to severe pruritus (VAS 6-10) should be treated with a systemic, centrally acting agent like pregabalin or gabapentin to eliminate itch or bring it down to tolerable limits. Patients with mild itch having VAS scores between 4 and 5 may be better served with addition of pregabalin even if massage and antihistaminics can control post-burn itch to a reasonable extent because of quicker, predictable and complete response, along with anxiolysis.

ISBI PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR BURN CARE

Practice guidelines (PGs) are recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries, and are designed to define optimal evaluation and management. The first PGs for burn care addressed the issues encountered in developed countries, lacking consideration for circumstances in resource-limited settings (RLS). Thus, the mission of the 2014-2016 committee established by the International Society for Burn Injury (ISBI) was to create PGs for burn care to improve the care of burn patients in both RLS and resource-abundant settings. An important component of this effort is to communicate a consensus opinion on recommendations for burn care for different aspects of burn management. An additional goal is to reduce costs by outlining effective and efficient recommendations for management of medical problems specific to burn care. These recommendations are supported by the best research evidence, as well as by expert opinion. Although our vision was the creation of clinical guidelines that could be applicable in RLS, the ISBI PGs for Burn Care have been written to address the needs of burn specialists everywhere in the world.

Comparative efficacy of intralesional verapamil hydrochloride and triamcinolone acetonide in hypertrophic scars and keloids

There is not much level 1 evidence based literature to guide management of hypertrophic scars and keloids despite an array of therapeutic modalities at disposal. Intralesional (i/l) triamcinolone injections have remained a gold standard in non surgical management. Sporadic reports on use of i/l verapamil suggest its efficacy. Since verapamil has not found sufficient mention as an effective alternative modality, it was decided to undertake a randomized study which could also address some additional clinical parameters. A randomized, parallel group and observer blinded comparison with 40 patients (48 scars) was carried out to compare the effects of i/l triamcinolone (T) (22 scars) and verapamil injections (V) (26 scars). 1.5 ml was the maximum indicative volume decided in the study protocol for both the drugs (triamcinolone @40 mg/ml and verapamil @ 2.5 mg/ml). Patients included were aged between 15-60 years with scars ranging between 0.5-5 cm (but total area roughly <6 cm(2)), and scars under 2 years duration. Patients with keloidal diathesis were excluded. Injections were scheduled every three weeks until complete flattening of the scar or eight sessions, which ever came earlier. No concomitant therapies like massage, silicone gel or pressure garments were used. Scar evaluation at each stage was done by serial photographic records as well as by Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). Comparative survival analysis between the two drugs was done using Kaplan Meier curves, and VSS scores were analyzed using Wilcoxon test and log rank test. Mean zero VSS scores were achieved with treatments in respect of scar height (T-12 weeks, V-21 weeks), vascularity (T-15 weeks, V-18 weeks) and pliability (T-15 weeks, V-21 weeks). The improvement in scar vascularity and pliability kept pace with decrease in scar height, in both the groups. There was not much difference in the rate of change of scar pigmentation with either drug but almost 60% patients in both the groups regained normal pigmentation. Our study adds to evidence of verapamils capability in flattening the raised scars. With an extremely low cost and fewer adverse effects it deserves better positioning in the wide armamentarium against hypertrophic scars. It also offers several therapeutic possibilities to alternate with triamcinolone or be used simultaneously in larger (or multiple) scars.

A prospective double-blinded comparative analysis of framycetin and silver sulphadiazine as topical agents for burns: A pilot study

Burn wound sepsis remains the leading cause of mortality if conservative methods of wound management are employed. Topical agents are still the mainstay of such wound management in the developing world. Non availability of agents like Mafenide or silver ion dressings in the developing world due to corporate strategies or cost concerns necessitates a search for alternatives to silver sulphadiazine, which is the gold standard. We report the use of framycetin 1% cream (Soframycin) in 20 patients of major burns (ranging from 15% to 40% TBSA), and in a double blinded study quantitatively comparing the bacterial load on day 4 and day 7 with a group of similar patients in whom silver sulphadiazine was used. The age group of the 40 patients was 10-50 years and they were without any co-morbid condition. All bacterial isolates from the 40 patients were also tested for framycetin sensitivity. Serial kidney function tests were done on all patients, and patients in the framycetin group underwent an audiometric testing at a mean time of 28 days. All results were statistically analyzed. It was noted that there was no statistically significant difference in the colony counts on days 4 and 7 between the two groups. As a corollary, it was also evident that there was no statistically significant difference in the rise in colony counts from day 4 to day 7 in the two groups. Sixty-four percent of all bacterial isolates were sensitive to framycetin, although, this could not be compared with sensitivity to silver sulphadiazine. It was not possible to do assays for framycetin levels in blood but no patient developed nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity with its use. According to our pilot study results framycetin appears to be an alternative to silver suphadiazine as a topical agent for major burns. Framycetin application is also painless and it leads to no discoloration of the wound.

Salmonella senftenberg: a new pathogen in the burns ward

This is the first report of Salmonella senftenberg serovar outbreak in a burns unit. This unit admits about 2000 patients with major burn injuries annually. Routine sampling from wound swabs in December 1995 revealed S. senftenberg in a few samples following which a study was instituted from January to March 1996. Of 446 burn admissions during this period 80 patients were culture positive for S. senftenberg in wound swabs. The protocol for investigation included wound swabs on admission and then at biweekly interval, blood culture studies on clinically toxic patients, anti-microbial sensitivity studies, environmental sampling and hand swabs and stool cultures from about 50 staff members of the burns ward. No wound swab at the time of admission was positive for S. senftenberg. Environmental study and the study of staff members did not reveal any obvious source of the infection. S. senftenberg strains were sensitive to more than seven of the 11 anti-microbials tested at the beginning of the study but later 96.3% of the strains showed multidrug (more than three drugs) resistance. By April 1996 the isolates became negligible and later disappeared completely. The organism resurfaced again in March 1997 and the same study was instituted again on 413 admissions between March and May 1997. Fifty patients were culture positive for S. senftenberg. This time stool sample from one burn dresser tested positive for S. senftenberg. Interestingly, again at the beginning of the second outbreak the Salmonella strains were sensitive to 9 out of 11 anti-microbials tested, but later 96.11% strains became multidrug resistant. S. senftenberg strains showed maximum resistance to amoxycillin (97.5%) and minimum to chloramphenicol, tetracycline and cotrimoxazole (12%). It was noticed that Salmonella strains surfaced in wound swabs after 3-4 weeks of hospital stay. Forty-five out of 130 patients studied, in both the episodes, died due to septicemia. The majority of the patients who died had sustained > 60% TBSA burns. Blood cultures were done in 34/130 patients and eight yielded growth (2 S. senftenberg, 4 Klebsiella spp., and two Pseudomonas spp.)

Primary rhinoplasty in unilateral cleft patients: the "limited open" approach and other technical considerations.

Objective To validate a method of primary anatomic alar repositioning using a “limited open rhinoplasty” approach, along with cleft lip repair, without presurgical orthopedics. Methods The cleft lip deformities were repaired using a modified Tennison technique, and primary muscle union and gingivoperiosteoplasty were achieved in all cases. The alar cartilages were visualized using an inverted “U” incision on the cleft side and a rim incision on the noncleft side, without joining the two with a transcolumellar incision. The domes of the cartilages were approximated by a single horizontal mattress suture. Patients Thirty-five patients were operated on by this technique between March 1999 and February 2004. The patients ranged in age from 4 to 36 months (mean, 6 months). The follow-up ranged from 4 months to 4.5 years (mean, 18 months). Results Overall, the results for nasal shape and symmetry have been extremely good. Conclusions The technique used here provides an exposure just short of an “open” rhinoplasty without scarring the columella or nasal tip. Arch alignment and a symmetric and stable bony platform are generally achieved by 2 to 3 months after the surgery. In severe cases of complete clefts, we have observed an absolute increase in alar arch length as a result of tissue stretch.