Surgery & Traumatology
Burns, inhalation trauma & submersion
Burn care involves a systematic approach to optimize patient recovery. Initial burn management focuses on assessment, resuscitation, wound care, and infection prevention. Long-term burn care addresses scar management, reconstructive surgery, physical therapy, and psychological support to improve quality of life.
Inhalation injury significantly increases morbidity and mortality in burn patients. Early diagnosis, airway management, and targeted therapies, such as nebulized treatments and antioxidants, are crucial for improving outcomes.
Drowning involves complex physiological changes that require specialized resuscitation strategies. Understanding the pathophysiology of drowning, including hypoxia and fluid aspiration, is essential for effective rescue and post-rescue care. Early rescue, effective oxygenation, and tailored resuscitation are key to addressing the unique challenges of drowning.
General burn care
Burns
ISBI Practice Guidelines for Burn Care, Part 1
ISBI Practice Guidelines Committee, Burns (2016)
What’s inside
The ISBI Practice Guidelines for Burn Care, Part 1, provide evidence-based recommendations for the initial assessment, resuscitation, and management of burn injuries.
Why it’s relevant
Burn injuries require specialized care to prevent complications and improve outcomes, making standardized guidelines essential for effective treatment.
Key focus
- Initial assessment and burn size estimation
- Fluid resuscitation strategies (e.g., Parkland formula)
- Wound management, including early excision and grafting
- Infection control and pain management
Takeaway
The guidelines emphasize a systematic approach to burn care, integrating early resuscitation, wound management, and infection prevention to optimize patient recovery.
Burns
ISBI Practice Guidelines for Burn Care, Part 2
ISBI Practice Guidelines Committee, Burns (2018)
What’s inside
The ISBI Practice Guidelines for Burn Care, Part 2, provide evidence-based recommendations for the long-term management and rehabilitation of burn injuries, focusing on recovery and quality of life.
Why it’s relevant
Long-term burn care is critical for functional recovery, psychological well-being, and reintegration into daily life.
Key focus
- Scar management and reconstructive surgery
- Physical and occupational therapy for functional recovery
- Psychological support and mental health care
- Strategies for community reintegration and patient education
Takeaway
The guidelines highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to long-term burn care, addressing physical, psychological, and social aspects to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Burns
Treatment of burns in the first 24 hours: simple and practical guide by answering 10 questions in a step-by-step form
Ziyad Alharbi et al., World Journal of Emergency Surgery (2012)
Summary will we added soon...
What’s inside
This article provides a step-by-step guide for the initial treatment of burns within the first 24 hours, addressing common clinical questions in a practical format.
Why it’s relevant
Early and appropriate burn management is crucial to minimize complications and improve outcomes.
Key focus
- Initial assessment and burn severity classification
- Fluid resuscitation strategies and monitoring
- Wound care and infection prevention
- Pain management and referral criteria for specialized care
Takeaway
The guide emphasizes a structured approach to early burn care, ensuring timely and effective interventions to stabilize patients and prevent complications.
Inhalation injury
Inhalation injury
Diagnosis and management of inhalation injury: an updated review
Patrick F. Walker et al., Critical Care (2015)
What’s inside
This article provides an updated review of the diagnosis and management of inhalation injury, a common complication in burn and smoke-exposed patients.
Why it’s relevant
Inhalation injury significantly increases morbidity and mortality in burn patients, requiring prompt recognition and specialized care.
Key focus
- Pathophysiology and clinical presentation of inhalation injury
- Diagnostic tools, including bronchoscopy and imaging
- Management strategies, such as airway support and ventilation
- Adjunctive therapies, including nebulized treatments and antioxidants
Takeaway
The review highlights the importance of early diagnosis, airway management, and targeted therapies to improve outcomes in patients with inhalation injury.
Submersion / drowning
Drowning
Physiology Of Drowning: A Review
Joost J. L. M. Bierens et al., Physiology (2016)
What’s inside
This article reviews the physiology of drowning, focusing on the pathophysiological changes that occur during and after submersion in water.
Why it’s relevant
Understanding the physiological mechanisms of drowning is critical for improving resuscitation strategies and outcomes in drowning victims.
Key focus
- Pathophysiology of drowning, including hypoxia and fluid aspiration
- Effects of freshwater versus saltwater drowning
- Physiological responses during and after rescue
- Implications for resuscitation and post-rescue care
Takeaway
The review emphasizes the importance of early rescue, effective oxygenation, and tailored resuscitation to address the unique physiological challenges of drowning.