Epidemiological study of Burn patients and outcome of Management

Abstract

Background: In India, morbidity and mortality due to burn cases are in rise. In addition to prevention, conservative and surgical management are the important modalities to manage burn patients. Epidemiological studies provide the valuable data for designing the preventing protocol for the burn management. Aim and Objective: To record the epidemiological data and outcome of conservative and surgical management in burn cases of Bhopal region. Materials and Methods: One hundred and eighteen burn patients were evaluated retrospectively at L.N.M.C and J.K. Hospital, Kolar road, Bhopal who were admitted to IPD in the duration of 5 years. Details on age, sex, socio-economic status, education level, area of residence, total body surface area involved, level of burn, type of burn, nature of burn, duration of hospital stay, associated co-morbidities, type of management given and surgery performed, and final outcome were recorded. Results: Out of 118 burn patients, majority of the burn patients 75 (63.56%) had age between 11-59 years, 76 (64.41%) were males, 79 (66.95%) belong to the rural area and 79 (66.95%) were Illiterate. Majority were presented with burned body surface area burned between 10-30 % [54 (45.76%)] followed by 0-10% [38 (32.20%)]. Majority had deep burn 85 (72.03%). Most common was thermal burns 60 (50.85%). Most common cause was accidental (88.96%). Majority were discharged 113 (95.76%) and 5 patients died due to burn. Majority were treated with conservative (n=61) treatment whereas in 57 patient’s surgery was performed. Surgery procedure: Majority were treated with conservative treatment whereas in 57 patient’s surgery was performed. In our study different types of procedures were done like debridement done in 21 patients(36.84%), debridement with collagen dressing in 10(17.54%), fasciotomy in 8(14.03%), escharotomy in 2(3.50%), SSG in 6(10.52%), amputation in 6(10.5%)[ finger & thumb 2 (3.50%), hand 1(1.75%), below elbow 1 (1.75%), above elbow 1 (1.75%), toes 1 (1.75%)], and flap surgery done in 4 patients(4.52%) [groin flap 1 (1.75%), abdominal flap 2 (3.50%), local transposition flap 1(1.75%). Conclusion: Burn management includes various modality of treatment ranging from resuscitation in early period to conservative and surgical management during the recovery phase. These patients also needs rehabilitation pschylogically and functionally to improve the quality of life after recovery. Better treatment protocol for burn management after understanding the epidemiology is helpful for reducing the mortality and morbidity in burn patients.