Objectives To analyze the effect of improved oven for defluorination in coal-burning endemic fluorosis areas in China, and to provide evidence for the prevention and control of fluorosis. Methods Electronic databases including CNKI, CBM, VIP and CDMD-D (1989 to 2005), were searched. We also checked the reference lists of relevant articles. We selected relevant articles according to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The methodological quality was assessed . Data on room heat preservation and the effect of improved oven for defluorination were collected in the surveillance spots of Three Gorges Reservoir. Correlation analyses were conducted between the improved oven and its effect parameters. Results Twelve articles of low quality met the selection criteria, of which 9 were graded C and 3 were graded D in terms of the methodological quality. A negative correlation was found between the decreasing rate of normal oven use and the decreasing rate of dental fluorosis as well as of urine fluorine (Pearson correlation coefficient r = – 0.87, – 0.63, Plt;0.01, lt;0.05, respectively). Analysis also revealed a positive correlation between room heat preservation and the decreasing rate of dental fluorosis as well as of normal oven use (the two Spearman correlation coefficients and P values were the same: r = –1.00, Plt;0.01). Conclusion High-quality studies on the effect of improved oven for defluorination in China are not available. Based on the current evidence, the improved oven for defluorination and the correct use, maintenance and house rebuilding for heat preservation may help to prevent fluorosis.
High-voltage electric burns is refractory with high rate of amputation (46%) in early stage and unfavorable functional recovery in later stage. Little breakthrough has so far been made in this respect. From Jan. 1985 to Jan. 1996, ninety-six cases with high-voltage burns were treated in our department. Seventy-one cases of various tissue flap grafting were applied to treat early electric burns, among which sixty-four cases were successful. The amputation rate was reduced to 30%. Postoperatively, a long-term rehabilitation training at home was carried out. Most of them achieved a good appearance of the wounded sites and limbs and satisfactory ability to work or self-care. It was suggested that early thorough debridement of necrosis tissue, careful reservation of living tissue, appropriate choice of tissue flap and postoperative rehabilitation training were of great importance to achieve a good prognosis.
Abstract Postburn deformities, including hypertrophic scars, scar contracture and defect or deformity of tissue or organ, are the commonest disorders in plastic surgery. It is also difficult to deal with. If the diformity involved multiple organs, oftentimes the teatmentis very difficult because the material for repair is limited and the donorsite usually could not provide adequate amount of skin for repair. Since 1978,2496 cases of various postburn deformities were admitted. In this article, theoptimal time to operate was discussed. The use of flap transfer and soft tissueexpander was described. Prolonged traction in the treatment of severe contracture of large joint was also described.
ObjectiveTo develop a standardized venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention program for burn patients and verify its safety and effectiveness by comparing with traditional thrombus prophylaxis.MethodsAll burn patients admitted and met selection criteria betweem April 2017 and September 2018 were included. Patients between January 2018 and September 2018 were included as the interventional group to implement standardized VTE prevention programs, while patients between April 2017 and December 2017 were included as the control group and traditional active and passive exercises were used to prevent VTE. There was no significant difference in the age, gender, ethnic group, marriage, education, occupation, type and site of the injury, burn area, operation time, and hospital stay between the two groups (P>0.05), which was comparable. The incidence of VTE, number of cases of tissue or organ hemorrhage, survival rate of skin grafting, and time of wound healing were compared.ResultsThe incidence of VTE was obviously lower in the interventional group (1.56%, 1/64) than in the control group (10.17%, 6/59) (χ2=?2.05, P=0.04). No bleeding occurred in any tissue or organ in the two groups. The survival rate of skin grafting and the time of wound healing were 89.06% (57/64) and (11.78±3.08) days respectively in the interventional group and 91.53% (54/59) and (11.66±2.30) days respectively in the control group; and the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant (χ2=0.21, P=0.65; t=?0.22, P=0.83).ConclusionThe standardized VTE prevention program can effectively prevent the occurrence of VTE, and its safety is relatively high.
Terahertz waves have unique properties and advantages, which makes it gain increasing attention and applications in the biomedical field. Burns is a common clinical trauma. Since the water sensitive and non destructive characteristics of terahertz, terahertz imaging techniques can be used to detect burns. So far, terahertz imaging technology in the assessment of burn injuries has been developed from ex vivo to in vivo, and high resolution images can be obtained through the gauzes and plasters. In this paper, we mainly introduces the application of terahertz imaging technology and development in the assessment of burn injuries.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibil ity and effectiveness of using scar spl it thickness skin grafts combined with acellular allogeneic dermis in the treatment of large deep Ⅱ degree burn scar.
MethodsBetween January 2013 and December 2013, 20 cases of large deep Ⅱ degree burn scar undergoing plastic operation were enrolled. There were 14 males and 6 females, aged 4 to 60 years (mean, 40 years). Burn reasons included hydrothermal burns in 10 cases, flame burns in 9 cases, and lime burns in 1 case. The burn area accounted for 70% to 96% total body surface area (TBSA) with an average of 79% TBSA. The time from wound healing to scar repair was 3 months to 2 years (mean, 7 months). Based on self-control, 0.7 mm scar spl it thickness skin graft was used to repair the wound at the right side of joints after scar resection (control group, n=35), 0.5 mm scar spl it thickness skin graft combined with acellular allogeneic dermis at the left side of joints (trial group, n=30). Difference was not statistically significant in the scar sites between 2 groups (Z=-1.152, P=0.249). After grafting, negative pressure drainage was given for 10 days; plaster was used for immobilization till wound heal ing; and all patients underwent regular rehabil itation exercises.
ResultsNo significant difference was found in wound heal ing, infection, and healing time between 2 groups (P>0.05). All patients were followed up for 6 months. According to the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), the score was 5.23±1.41 in trial group and was 10.17±2.26 in control group, showing significant difference (t=8.925, P=0.000). Referring to Activities of Daily Living (ADL) grading standards to assess joint function, the results were excellent in 8 cases, good in 20 cases, fair in 1 case, and poor in 1 case in trial group; the results were excellent in 3 cases, good in 5 cases, fair in 22 cases, and poor in 5 cases in control group; and difference was statistically significant (Z=-4.894, P=0.000).
ConclusionA combination of scar spl it thickness skin graft and acellular allogeneic dermis in the treatment of large deep Ⅱ degree burn scar is feasible and can become one of solution to the problem of skin source tension.
Objective To study the effect of low-dose cyclophosphamide (CY) on apoptosis of lung parenchyma cells in the early severe burn stage in rats. Methods Ninety clean SD male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: the normal group (n=10), the experimental group (n=40) and the burn group (n=40). The model of degree III with 30% burn area was made in the experimental group and the burn group. CY (2 mg/kg) was injected into the abdominal cavity right after burn in the experimental group. No treatment was done in the normal group and burn group. Lung tissues were obtained at 3, 6, 12and 24 hours, respectively, after burn, and were observed by HE staining. Apoptosis of lung parenchyma cells was observed by TUNEL. Results Lung tissues were observed under the opticalmicroscopy in the normal group: the pulmonary structure was clear, and there were no inflammatory cells and exudation in the alveolar space and bronchial lumen. Besides, a few RBCs were seen. Pathological changes of lung tissues were observed under the opticalmicroscopy in the burn group: alveolar septum was obviously widened; alveolar wall was destroyed; interstitial edema and atelectasis occurred; and pathological lesion was gradually aggravated as time passed by. The pathological lesion of lung tissues mentioned above in the experimental group was better than those in the burn group. Compared with the normal group, the apoptosis ratio of lung parenchyma cells continuously increased in the burn group from the 3 hour after burn, and reached the peak at 12 hours. There were significant differences between the two groups (P lt; 0.05). However, in the experimental group, the apoptosis ratio of lung parenchyma cells increased at 3 hours after burn, cut down to normal at 6 and 12 hours, respectively, and notably decreased at 24 hours. There were significant differences between the experimental group and the normal group (P lt; 0.05). Compared with the burn group, the apoptosisrate of lung parenchyma cells in the experimental group began to decrease strikingly from the 6 hours after burn, and there were significant differences between the two groups (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Low-dose CY can restrain the apoptosis of lung parenchyma cells in the early severe burn stage in rats and alleviate the injury of the lung.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of Ilizarov technique in treatment of the clubfoot after burns.MethodsBetween March 2012 and February 2017, 12 patients (17 feet) with clubfoot after burns were treated with Ilizarov technique. There were 10 males (14 feet) and 2 females (3 feets) with an average age of 38 years (range, 18-52 years). There were 3 cases of left foot, 4 cases of right foot, and 5 cases of both feet. According to the Qin’s classification of clubfoot deformity, there were 5 feet of degreeⅠ, 9 feet of degreeⅡ, and 3 feet of degree Ⅲ.ResultsAll clubfeet were completely corrected without local skin necrosis, needle tract infection, or acroanesthesia. All patients could walk with a heavy load. Pationts were followed up from 4 months to 3 years (mean, 10 months). At last follow-up, according to the International Clubfoot Study Group (ICFSG) score, the effectiveness was rated as excellent in 7 feet, good in 7 feet, and fair in 3 feet, with the excellent and good rate of 82.4%.ConclusionUsing Ilizarov technique can gradually correct the clubfoot deformity with the advantages of minimal invasion, safeness, and simpleness.
Objective To investigate the safety and effectiveness of using the Taylor spatial frame (TSF) based on the Ilizarov tension-stress principle for treatment of post-burn foot and ankle deformities in adults. Methods A clinical data of 6 patients with post-burn foot and ankle deformities treated between April 2019 and November 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. There was 1 male and 5 females with an average age of 28.7 years (range, 20-49 years). There were 3 cases of simple ankle equinus, 2 cases of ankle equinus, midfoot rocker-bottom foot, and forefoot pronation, and 1 case of calcaneus foot and forefoot pronation. Preoperative American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 45.3±18.2, 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12)-Physical Component Summary (PCS) score was 34.3±7.3 and Mental Component Summary (MCS) score was 50.4±8.8. Imaging examination showed tibial-calcaneal angle of (79.8±31.5)°, calcaneus-first metatarsal angle of (154.5±45.3)°, talus-first metatarsal angle of (–19.3±35.0)°. Except for 1 case with severe deformity that could not be measured, the remaining 5 cases had talus-second metatarsal angle of (40.6±16.4)°. The deformities were fixed with TSF after soft tissue release and osteotomy. Then, the residual deformities were gradually corrected according to software-calculated prescriptions. TSF was removed after maximum deformity correction and osteotomy healing. External fixation time, brace wearing time after removing the TSF, and pin tract infection occurrence were recorded. Infection severity was evaluated based on Checketts-Otterburns grading. Joint function was evaluated using AOFAS score and SF-12 PCS and MCS scores. Patient satisfaction was assessed using Likert score. Imaging follow-up measured relevant indicators to evaluate the degree of deformity correction. Deformity recurrence was observed during follow-up. Results The external fixation time was 103-268 days (mean, 193.5 days). The mild pin tract infections occurred during external fixation in all patients, which healed after pin tract care and oral antibiotics. No serious complication such as osteomyelitis, fractures, neurovascular injury, or skin necrosis occurred. After external fixation removal, 3 cases did not wear braces, while the remaining 3 cases wore braces continuously for 6 weeks, 8 weeks, and 3 years, respectively. All patients were followed up 13.9-70.0 months, with an average of 41.7 months. During follow-up, none of the 6 patients had recurrence of foot deformity. At 1 year after operation, the AOFAS score was 70.0±18.1, SF-12-PCS and MCS scores were 48.9±4.5 and 58.8±6.4, respectively, all showing significant improvement compared to preoperative values (P<0.05). Imaging follow-up showed that all osteotomies healed, and all distraction cases achieved bony union at 6 months after stopping stretching. At 1 year after operation, tibial-calcaneal angle was (117.5±12.8)° and talus-first metatarsal angle was (–3.3±19.3)°, both showing significant improvement compared to preoperative values (P<0.05). Calcaneus-first metatarsal angle was (132.0±14.4)°, which also improved compared to preoperative values but without significant difference (P>0.05). Except for 1 case with severe deformity that could not be measured, the remaining 5 cases had talus-second metatarsal angle of (18.0±6.4)°. And there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between pre-and post-operative data of 4 patients with complete data. At 1 year after operation, 1 patient was satisfied with effectiveness and 5 patients were very satisfied. Conclusion The TSF, by applying the Ilizarov tension-stress principle for gradual distraction and multi-planar adjustment, combined with soft tissue release and osteotomy, can effectively correct foot and ankle deformities after burns, especially equinus deformity with contracture of the posterior soft tissues of the lower leg. There are still limitations in treating cases with tight, adherent scars on the dorsum of the foot that require long-distance distraction. If necessary, a multidisciplinary approach combined with microsurgical techniques can be utilized.
OBJECTIVE: With the recognization of the mechanism of wound healing, some topical agents are created and applied in trauma to improve the healing rate of wounds. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of some topical agents on the healing rate of deep second-degree burn wounds. METHODS: One thousand five hundred and sixty-three patients with deep second-degree burn wounds(total burn surface area lt; or = 10%) were involved in this study from January 1982 to December 1999. According to the application time of different treating measures including supplement of Zn, application of growth factors and collagenase, the patients were divided into 3 groups, wound healing rates were compared. RESULTS: Before 1991, none of special topical agents were used, and the healing time of deep second-degree burn wounds was(23.8 +/- 3.5) days. From 1991 to 1996, with the topical application of SD-Ag-Zn, which can provide Zn for cells taking part in wound healing, the healing time of deep second-degree burn wounds was (20.6 +/- 3.2) days, earlier than no special topical agents (P lt; 0.05). From 1997 to 1999, growth factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) and epithelial growth factor (EGF) and collagenases were applied in wound treatment combining with SD-Ag-Zn, wound healing time was (16.2 +/- 2.8) days, earlier than no special topical agents (P lt; 0.01) and simple SD-Ag-Zn application (P lt; 0.05). CONCLUSION: It indicates that the improvement of topical agents can accelerate wound healing speed.
