PURPOSE: Burn wound infection, sepsis and organ failure have been major causes of death in massive burn patient. Because it is difficult to fundamentally prevent bacterial colonization by medical treatment, the need of surgical intervention is advocated by many authors. Therefore the effects of early excision and optimal time were studied. METHODS: Twenty four patients with thermal injuries, on whom early excision of eschar was performed, between June and Aug. 2003, were studied. Fascial excision over third and fourth degree burns and tangential excision over indeterminate areas were performed. Superficial and deep layers of eschar was separated and cultivated, and bacterial colony counts performed. The patients were divided into two groups: a colony count equal or greater than 10(5)/g (group A) and less than 10(5)/g (group B), and studied. The plasma endotoxin levels were assayed and compared. RESULTS: Sepsis occurred at a higher rate when the bacterial colony counts were equal or greater than 10(5)/g at the wound site. Bacterial colonization appears to be greatly increased on the 4th in of escharectomy in superficial layers, and on the 5th in deep layers, in old aged or young child patients tends to occur earlier and with greater severity. The microorganism isolated in all patients was Pseudomonas aeruginosa. There was no statistical difference in the plasma endotoxin levels between groups A and B. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that all massive burn injuries would be better treated with early excision, within 3 days after burns, especially in old aged or young child patients.
Burns* ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Colon ; Humans ; Plasma ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Sepsis ; Wound Infection ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: Early escharectomy has been shown to improve survival rates and treatment outcomes in major burn patients. However, its mechanism, especially in human immune systems, has not been fully elucidated. This observational study, focusing on cytokines, was conducted to assess changes in the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in major burn patients that underwent early tissue excision. METHODS: Seventeen ASA physical status II or III adults major burn patients, admitted to general surgery for burn wound care, were initially recruited. When early escharectomy was scheduled, a series of blood samples was obtained four times at 72 and 24 hours preop and at 24 and 72 hours postop. Changing levels of TNF alpha and IL-10 were measured by quantitative sandwich immnuoassay. RESULTS: Subjects suffered from 70% TBSA burns. Both cytokines demonstrated a significant tendency to increase in the blood during the study period. Although they temporarily decreased 24 hours after surgery, this effect did not last. CONCLUSIONS: Burn injury certainly increases cytokine response. Early escharectomy appears to decrease the pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines only temporarily. It did not seem to have any long term effect in the human immune system in major burn patients, probably due to the complex nature of the injury.
Adult ; Burns* ; Cytokines* ; Humans ; Immune System ; Interleukin-10 ; Observational Study ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: Severe burns induce multiple derangements in normal homeostasis. In this conditions, the value of proper nutritional supports can not be overemphasized. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional, immunological, catabolic and clinical effects of early enteral support in major burn patients. METHODS: The subjects were 49 major burned adults admitted to the Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital between June 1, 2003 and August 31, 2003. The patients qualified for study participation if they were over 20 years of age, sustained burns in excess of a 35% total body surface area or a 25% full-thickness burn. The early feeding (EF) group started enteral feeding within 48 hours of injury, and the delayed feeding (DF) group started after 48 hours. Each patients received entreral feeing through a nasogastric tube. The calorifice requirements were calculated by a modified Long's formula. Enteral feeding was discontinued when the patients could voluntarily orally take at least 60~70 percent of their estimated calorific or protein needs. The serum prealbumin, transferrin and immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA and IgM) concentrations, total lymphocyte counts and cortisol were monitored as a nutritional, immunological and catabolic marker. The clinical outcomes of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Several of the markers were in an arithmtically high state for the EF group, but these were not statistical significance. There were no significant differences in the clinical outcomes between the two groups. CONCLUSION: More active trials and many-sided studies will be needed to maximize the effect of early enteral nutritional support as a method to improve treatment for major burned patients.
Adult ; Body Surface Area ; Burns* ; Enteral Nutrition* ; Fees and Charges ; Heart ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulins ; Lymphocyte Count ; Nutritional Support ; Prealbumin ; Transferrin