Yaser Ghavami

Electrical Burn Injury: A Five-Year Survey of 682 Patients

Background: Electrical burn is less prevalent in comparison to other forms of burn injuries, however this type of injury is considered as one of the most devastating due to high morbidity and mortality. Understanding the epidemiologic pattern of electrical burns helps determine the contributing factors leading to this type of injury. Objectives: Epidemiologic studies on electrical burn are scarce in Iran. This study was conducted to evaluate electrical burn injury at our center. Materials and Methods: Demographic data, etiology, burn percentage and other measures related to electrical burn injury of 682 electrical burn patients treated from 2007 to 2011 were collected and analyzed. Results: We assessed 682 electrical burn patients (~10.8% of all burn patients); the mean age was 29.4 years and 97.8% were males. The mean hospital stay was 18.5 days and the mean burn extent was 14.43%. Severe morbidities caused 17 (2.5%) deaths. Amputation was performed in 162 cases. The most common amputation site was the fingers (35%). Most victims were workers and employees and 68.5% of electrical burns occurred at their workplace; 72% of electrical burns were due to high voltage electrical current (more than 1000 V). There was a correlation between voltage and amputation (P = 0.001) and also between voltage and fasciotomy (P = 0.033), but there was no correlation between voltage and mortality (P = 0.131) Conclusions: Electrical burn injuries are still amongst the highest accident-related morbidities and mortalities. Educating the population about the dangers and hazards associated with improper use of electrical devices and instruments is imperative.

Mortality and morbidity of fireworks-related burns on the annual last Wednesday of the year festival (Charshanbeh Soori) in Iran: An 11-year study

Background Management of firework-related injuries is costly for the patient, society, and government. Objectives Evaluating effective factors yielding to such injuries may lead to better management of patients and decreased costs and morbidities. Patients and Materials This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on burn patients referred to Shahid Motahari Burns Hospital on Charshanbeh Soori day festival during the period extending from March 2000 to March 2011 (11 days in an 11-year period). Demographic data, causes of burn injury, severity, and affected body parts were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results There were164 patients in the study with a mean age of 18.34 ± 9.31 years; 87% (145/164) were male. Homemade grenades were the most frequent cause of injury. Hand injury was reported in 56% (92/164) of the cases. Amputation was executed in 7 (4.3%) cases, and 6 (3.7%) patients died due to severe burn injuries and facial damage. Conclusions Fireworks- related injuries during Charshanbeh Soori ceremony causes significant morbidities and damage to different body parts (especially upper limbs and face), and some of these injuries will lead to life time disabilities, amputations, and even death. As most of the injured patients are young teenagers and children, special consideration must be taken into account to prevent long term morbidities.

Effect of green tea on the second degree burn wounds in rats

Background: Various studies indicate that the green tea has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. Moreover, a few studies have been carried out that demonstrate beneficial effects of green tea on burned patients. Materials and Methods: In this study, green tea, Vaseline, and silver sulfadiazine dressings were used as first-aid treatment to deep dermal contact burns in rats, compared with a control of nothing. After creating second-degree burn on the dorsum of rats, the treatments were applied for 15 min in four groups. Wound dressing changes were daily. Macroscopic study was performed on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 by using a digital camera and software processing of photos. Microscopic examination was done by pathologic evaluation of skin specimens on day 14. Results: We observed that green tea usage significantly decreased burn size in comparison to the control group (P = 0.004). Conclusion: Green tea is effective on healing process of second degree burn wounds.

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels in Pediatric Burn Patients

Background Previous studies have implicated the important and active role of vitamin D in the immune system. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in children with burn injuries. Materials and Methods In this cross-sectional study, 118 patients with various degrees of burn injuries were enrolled. A checklist consisting of demographic data, total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burn, degree of burn, serum level of 25(OH)D, total protein, albumin, electrolytes, and parathyroid hormone was recorded for each patient. Results Sixty-eight (57.6%) males and 50 (42.4%) females with a mean age of 4.04 years (SD = 3.04) were evaluated. The mean level of 25(OH)D was 14.58 ng/mL (SD = 6.94). Levels of 25(OH)D in four (3.39%) cases were higher than 30 ng/mL, while 95 (81.35%) cases had levels lower than 20 ng/mL, and 19 (16.10%) cases had levels of 21 - 30 ng/mL. The level of 25(OH)D was below recommended levels in 96.61% of cases, while 81.34% had vitamin D deficiency and 16.1% had insufficiency. We found a significant correlation between vitamin 25(OH)D and total protein, albumin, and total and ionized calcium (P < 0.001). There was also a significant negative correlation between 25(OH)D and TBSA affected by burn (P = 0.001). Conclusions The levels of 25(OH)D in children suffering from severe burns were low. Supplementation might be useful in patients with very low levels of serum vitamin D.

ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN ANTIBODIES AGAINST THE ENDOTHELIAL CELL AND T. GONDII; CYTOMEGALOVIRUS IN SERUM OF CHILDREN WITH COCHLEAR IMPLANT SURGERY

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and T. gondii are two common causes of SNHL (Sensorineural hearing loss) in Iranian children. Immune-mediated vascular damage induced by endothelial cell antibodies may have a prominent role in sensorineural hearing loss. Objectives: To determine the serum CMV and T. gondii antibodies against endothelial cell in children with profound SNHL and cochlear implant surgery. Materials & Methods: A cross sectional study was performed on 76 cases with severe SNHL (mean age 32 ± 30.6 months) at cochlear implant ward of Rasoul hospital, Tehran Iran (2008-2010). The titers of antibodies against endothelial cell (Indirect immunofluorescence assay); were determined in sera of 66 cases. Specific antibodies (IgG & IgM) against T. gondi, CMV (Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) determined in Idiopathic SNHL cases. Results: Idiopathic type of SNHL was diagnosed in 28.8% (19/66) of younger cases (mean age=20 months; PV=0.05). Positive AECAs was detected in 14.4% (11/76) of cases (with mean age 50 vs. 32 months in cases with negative test; P value=0.047). Positive AECAs had not significant differences between Idiopathic and Non idiopathic type of SNHL [10.5% vs. 9%; PV=0.1]. Positive AECAs were more frequent in cases with known postnatal infections (e.g. mumps, meningitis, chicken pox, etc.) in comparison with non-infection cases (P-value=0.05). Positive T. gondii -IgM (recent infection) was found in 8 /19 (%42); 1 case also had positive T. gondii -IgG. Positive CMV-IgM I 17/19 (%89) respectively. A meaningful correlation was observed between positive AECAs and those infections (Toxo, CMV) in Idiopathic (and unclassified) SNHL cases. Conclusion: Idiopathic type of SNHL with a poor outcome is common (28.8%) in children with cochlear implant surgery Positive AECAs cases had not differences between 2 type of SNHL but were more frequent in older cases with known postnatal infections (meningitis, mumps, chicken pox etc.). A good correlation (p=0.05) between the positive AECAs and known infections determined in studied cases. In contrast, those younger cases ( 2 year old) with Idiopathic SNHL and concomitant positive AECAs.