Robert Cartotto

Minimizing blood loss in burn surgery

BACKGROUND Significant blood loss continues to plague early tangential excision of the burn wound. Although various techniques to reduce intraoperative blood loss have been described, there is an absence of uniformity and consistency in their application. Furthermore, it is unclear whether these techniques compromise intraoperative tissue assessment and wound outcome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a comprehensive intraoperative blood conservation strategy on blood loss, transfusion requirements, and wound outcome in burn surgery. METHODS An intraoperative blood conservation strategy (CONSV) that included donor site and burn wound adrenaline tumescence, donor site and excised wound topical adrenaline, and limb tourniquets was prospectively evaluated and compared with a historical control group (HIST) where only topical adrenaline and thrombin were applied to donor sites and excised wounds. RESULTS Estimated blood loss was reduced from 211 +/- 166 mL per percentage body surface area excised and grafted in the HIST group to 123 +/- 106 mL in the CONSV group (p = 0.02). Similarly, the intraoperative transfusion requirement in the HIST group was reduced from 3.3 +/- 3.1 units per case to 0.1 +/- 0.3 units per case in the CONSV group (p < 0.001). There was no compromise in wound outcome in the CONSV group, which had a mean skin graft take rate of 96 +/- 4.2%. CONCLUSION The application of a strict and comprehensive intraoperative blood conservation strategy during burn excision and grafting resulted in a profound reduction in blood loss and transfusion requirements, without compromising wound outcome.

Late outcomes in adult survivors of toxic epidermal necrolysis after treatment in a burn center

Despite improved survival after burn center treatment for patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), little is known about the overall long-term outcomes in these patients. In this work we sought to analyze late outcomes in survivors of TEN who were treated in our burn center. Subjects completed a questionnaire that included the RAND 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index. Subjects were examined, when possible, and completed the Functional Independence Measure. Scores on the SF-36 were compared with age- and sex-matched National normative data. All results are presented as the mean +/- SD. Of 35 adults admitted with TEN between January 1, 1995, and January 6, 2003, 10 have died in hospital, 4 have died since discharge, and 8 have been lost to follow-up, leaving a study population of 13 subjects (age 45 +/- 18 years with initial %TBSA involvement 65 +/- 29). Follow-up occurred at 38 +/- 27 months after discharge. The most common ophthalmic problems were chronic photosensitivity (54%) and dry eyes (31%). The Dermatology Life Quality Index (maximum-worst score = 30) was 9 +/- 10. SF-36 scores were significantly lower than in the age- and sex-matched normal population across all domains except mental health. The Functional Independence Measure score (maximum-best score = 126) was 123 +/- 4. Survivors of TEN demonstrate a high level of independent function in activities of daily living, but numerous complications of TEN significantly impair their overall quality of life, emphasizing the need for long-term follow-up.

Effects of enhanced patient education on compliance with silicone gel sheeting and burn scar outcome: a randomized prospective study.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether enhanced patient education increases compliance with silicone gel sheeting (SGS) on hypertrophic (HT) scars and to determine whether this results in any improvement in scar outcome. Outpatients with a HT burn scar were randomized to either a conventional education group (CEG), which received routine instruction on the use of SGS or to an enhanced education Group (EEG), which also received routine instruction, along with a detailed 5-page handout and a 26-minute videotape. The CEG (n = 12, 67% male, age 38 +/- 10 years) and the EEG (n = 13, 77% male, age 47 +/- 10 years) were followed monthly for 6 months. Subjects in the EEG wore SGS for 21.8 +/- 3.0 hr/day compared with only 10.1 +/- 7.5 hr/day of use in the CEG (P <.001). Scars in the EEG had significantly better Vancouver Scar Scale ratings for pigmentation (P =.02), height (P =.03), and pliability (P =.02) by 6 months. Patients in the EEG had significantly better subjective ratings for the parameters of scar itch (P =.01), color (P =.02), hardness (P =.01), and elevation (P =.01). Finally, scars in the EEG had significantly better ratings for border height (P =.002) and thickness (P =.01) at 6 months based on evaluation of digital photographs. Detailed multimedia patient education improves compliance with SGS and results in a better scar outcome.

Safe and successful restriction of transfusion in burn patients.

An acceptable strategy for transfusion of burn patients has not been specifically identified. In 1999, we empirically adopted a hemoglobin (Hb) transfusion trigger of 7.0 g/dl or greater in our burn center. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of this restrictive transfusion strategy. Retrospective comparison of adults with 20% or greater TBSA treated from 1999 to 2004 (restrictive group; REST) with patients treated before our adoption of the restrictive transfusion strategy (1997–1998: liberal group; LIB). The REST group (n = 135, age 42 ± 17 years, %TBSA burn 37 ± 14, and 26% incidence of inhalation injury) did not differ significantly from the LIB group (n = 37, age 42 ± 16 years, %TBSA burn 38 ± 17, and 35% inhalation injury). The Hb triggering a transfusion was 7.1 ± 1.2 g/dl in the REST group, compared with 9.2 ± 2.1 g/dl in the LIB group (P < .001). The REST group received significantly fewer units of blood per day than the LIB Group. Patients in the REST group appeared to have significantly better organ function, and there were no differences between the groups in the incidence of acute myocardial infarction. Mortality at 30 days was significantly lower in the REST group (19% vs 38%; P = .03), as was overall in-hospital mortality (22% vs 46%; P = .003). Transfusion restriction appears to be safe and resulted in fewer transfusions among this group of burn patients. Prospective studies are needed before broadly recommending a transfusion trigger of 7.0 g/dl.

Fluid creep: the pendulum hasn't swung back yet!

Fluid creep was recognized nearly a decade ago. Although many burn centers are now aware of fluid creep, it is not clear whether any reversal of this phenomenon has occurred. The purpose of this study was to examine whether we have made any headway in reversing fluid creep at our facility. This is a retrospective review of the first 48 hours of fluid resuscitation using the Parkland formula among patients with ≥15% TBSA burns admitted to our adult regional burn centre (BC) between January 1, 2000, and May 30, 2008. All values are reported as the mean ± SD. There were 196 consecutive resuscitations available for analysis. Group characteristics were age 46 ± 18 years, burn size 31% ± 15% (range 15–81%), and full-thickness burn size 13% ± 16%, with a 26% incidence of inhalation injury. The delay between injury and BC admission was 4.5 ± 2.6 hours. During this time, a total crystalloid volume of 1.5 ± 1.0 ml/kg/%burn, or nearly 40% of the recommended 24-hour Parkland volume, was administered. Total crystalloids given in the first 24 hours (prior to and within the BC) were 6.3 ± 2.9 ml/kg/%TBSA, with 76% of all resuscitations receiving >4.3 ml/kg/%burn (the upper limit predicted by Baxter). Hourly urine output (UO) in the first 24 hours postburn was 1.2 ± 0.7 ml/kg/h. There were minimal insignificant downward trends in the volume of resuscitation fluids and the mean hourly UO of the 194 cases over the 8-year period of the study. In contrast, use of colloids (5% albumin) and formal measurement of intraabdominal pressures increased during the same time period. Despite awareness of fluid creep, we have not substantially reversed this phenomenon, primarily because of failure to titrate down fluid infusion rates and by accepting higher than recommended UO. Excessive pre-BC fluid also continues to be a contributing factor.

Oscillation after inhalation: high frequency oscillatory ventilation in burn patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome and co-existing smoke inhalation injury.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of, and complications associated with High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV) in burn patients with the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) who have had a smoke inhalation injury, and to compare with those without an inhalation injury. Burn patients with progressive oxygenation failure from ARDS while on conventional mechanical ventilation were placed on HFOV as a “rescue” ventilation modality. There were 19 patients with burn + inhalation injury and 30 patients with burn only. Burned patients with ARDS but without inhalation injury had significant temporal improvement in the oxygenation index from 27 ± 8 on conventional mechanical ventilation to 17 ± 6 within 48 hours of initiating HFOV. However, burned patients with ARDS and smoke inhalation injury did not achieve significant or even eventual improvements in oxygenation index with HFOV. There was also a trend towards higher rates of early HFOV failure and severe hypercapnia while on HFOV among the patients with inhalation injury. Delivery of nebulized bronchodilators, heparin and n-acetyl cysteine, normally mainstays of smoke inhalation therapy, was impossible during HFOV. The presence of a smoke inhalation injury appears to impair the response to HFOV when this ventilation modality is instituted for ARDS-related oxygenation failure. Severe hypercapnia tended to be more frequent during HFOV among patients with smoke inhalation. These findings, combined with the difficulties in delivery of nebulized medications during HFOV suggest that HFOV may not be the optimal “rescue” ventilation modality in cases of ARDS if there has been an inhalation injury.

Use of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in burn patients.

Background:Patients with major burn injuries frequently develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). High-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) has been used successfully in our regional burn center since 1999 for the management of oxygenation failure secondary to ARDS and as a method of intraoperative ventilation to allow surgical burn wound excision to proceed, despite the presence of severe ARDS. Objective:The objective of this article is to review the use of HFOV in burn patients, with an emphasis on the indications and selection criteria for the initiation of HFOV, special considerations for patients with smoke inhalation injury, and our approach to intra-operative HFOV. Setting:Adult regional burn center in a university-affiliated tertiary care hospital. Results:We have now used HFOV in 36 severely burned patients, 33% of whom had an associated smoke inhalation injury. HFOV produced significant improvements in oxygenation among burn patients with oxygenation failure secondary to ARDS. HFOV produced a slower and less robust reversal of oxygenation failure in those with smoke inhalation compared with patients with burns alone. HFOV has been used intraoperatively for 33 procedures in 18 patients without complications. Conclusion:HFOV has been an indispensable ventilation modality in our burn center, and has played an important role in reversing oxygenation failure in patients with ARDS and in facilitating early excision and closure of the burn wound in these patients.

Late outcomes after grafting of the severely burned face: a quality improvement initiative.

Many approaches to surgical management of the severely burned face are described, but there are few objective outcome studies. The purpose of this study was to perform a detailed evaluation of the late outcomes in adult patients who have undergone grafting using a standardized surgical and rehabilitation approach for full-thickness (FT) facial burns to identify areas for improvement in the treatment strategy of authors. This was a prospective observational study in which patients who had undergone grafting for FT facial burns by the senior investigator at a regional burn centre between 1999 and 2010 were examined by a single evaluator. The surgical approach included tangential excision based on the facial aesthetic units, temporary cover with allograft then autografting with scalp skin preferentially, split grafts for the upper eyelid, and FT grafts for the lower eyelid. Rehabilitation included compression (uvex and or soft cloth), scar massage, and silicone gel sheeting. Of 35 patients with facial grafts, 14 subjects (age 43 ± 16 years with 22 ± 21% TBSA burns) returned for late follow-up at 40 ± 33 months (range, 5–91 months). A mean of four facial aesthetic units per patient were grafted (range, 1–9 units), with six full facial grafts performed. Scalp was used as donor in 10 of 14 cases. Scalp donor sites were well tolerated with minor alopecia visible in only one case although the donor site visibly extended slightly past the hairline in two cases. Color match with native skin was rated at 8.8 ± 0.8 of 10 when scalp skin was used compared with 7.5 ± 1.6 with other donor sites (P = .06). On the lip and chin, hypertrophic scars were significantly worse compared with the rest of the facial grafts (Vancouver scar scale 8 ± 2 vs 3 ± 1, P < .01). Sensory recovery was poor with overall moving two-point discrimination at 11 ± 3 mm (range, 4–15 mm), and monofilament light touch was 3.8 ± 0.6. Graft borders were significantly more elevated than graft seams. On the forehead, the most notable problem was a gap between the graft and hairlines of the frontal scalp and eyebrows (range, 0–40 mm). Grafted eyelids required one or more subsequent ectropion releases in the majority of cases. The most common problem for the nose was asymmetry of the nostril apertures. The most problematic late outcomes that the authors identified after facial grafting for FT facial burns included relatively poor sensory return, elevation of graft edges, eyelid ectropion, gaps between grafts and hairline, and marked hypertrophic scarring around the mouth and chin. The results indicate that possible areas for quality improvement include greater attention to the limits of scalp harvest, more attention to pressure application to graft borders and the lip and chin during rehabilitation, greater accuracy in excision and graft placement on the forehead to avoid gaps with the hairlines, and counseling of the patient regarding the high probability of diminished facial sensation.

A review of the use of human albumin in burn patients.

This review article examines the use of human albumin (HA) in burn treatment. Generally, there are two scenarios where HA may be administered: acutely as a volume expander during burn shock resuscitation and chronically following resuscitation to correct hypoalbuminemia. Although colloids were the cornerstone of the earliest burn resuscitation formulas, HA was in fact rarely used. More recently however, with the recognition of fluid creep, HA usage during resuscitation has increased. Animal studies demonstrate that during acute fluid resuscitation, administration of colloids, including albumin (ALB), have no ability to arrest the formation of burn wound edema, but they do reduce edema formation in the nonburn soft tissues and help preserve intravascular volume and reduce resuscitation fluid requirements with no apparent increase in extravascular water accumulation in the lung. Human studies suggest that immediate use of ALB during acute resuscitation achieves adequate resuscitation using a lower total overall volume requirement, transiently provides better maintenance of intravascular volume and cardiac output, produces less overall edema gain than crystalloid resuscitation alone but may be associated with increased extravascular lung water accumulation during the first postburn week. However, many questions remain unanswered, and modern, large-scale prospective studies are desperately needed. Maintenance of normal serum ALB levels through continuous supplementation of HA following burn resuscitation is even less well understood. Although this approach makes physiologic sense, the limited amount of available data from human burn studies reveal that chronic ALB supplementation is expensive and may not result in any major clinical benefits. Again, modernized prospective studies are greatly needed in this area.

Transfusion-related acute lung injury in patients with burns.

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) has not been systematically described in patients with burn injury, and the characterization of TRALI in patients with pre-existing acute lung injury (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) also is lacking. Our aim was to identify TRALI in burn patients and to attempt to characterize transfusion (TXN)-related pulmonary deterioration in burn patients with pre-existing ALI or ARDS. We undertook a retrospective review of mechanically ventilated and transfused burn patients at an adult regional burn center between January 1, 2003, and January 5, 2005. A blinded intensivist independently rated pre- and post-TXN chest radiographs (CXRs). There were 25 patients (age 51 ± 19 years, %TBSA burns 30 ± 19, full thickness %BSA 17 ± 19, with a 24% incidence of smoke inhalation) who received 124 TXNs. New ALI developed within 6 hours after four TXNs. In one TXN, there were no other precipitating causes (eg, infection, inhalation injury), suggesting possible TRALI (incidence 0.8%). Existing ALI or ARDS was present before 63 (51%) of the TXNs. Definite worsening of the CXR and deterioration in the PaO2/FiO2 ratio (18% ± 4%) within 6 hours of TXN occurred after six transfusions. In two of the TXNs, there were no other precipitating causes, suggesting possible TXN-related pulmonary deterioration (incidence 3.2%). Vigilance must be maintained for TRALI in burn patients. For patients with existing ALI or ARDS, we suggest that worsening of the CXR and reduction in the PaO2/FiO2 ratio by 20% or more within 6 hours of transfusion should be investigated for possible TRALI with appropriate donor investigations.