Fiser Chapter 17 BURNS Flashcards
1st degree burn
Epidermis (sunburn)
2nd degree burn
Superficial dermis (papillary): Painful to touch, blebs/blisters, hair follicles intact, blanches, do NOT need skin graft
Deep dermis (reticular): decreased sensation, LOSS OF HAIR FOLLICLES, need skin graft
3rd degree burn
Leathery (charred parchment); down to subcutaneous fat
4th degree burn
Down to bone; into adjacent adipose or muscle tissue
Which burns heal?
1st and superficial 2nd degree burns: epithelialization from hair follicles
Complications of burns
Compartment syndrome
Rhabdomyolysis with myoglobinuria
Tx: hydration, alkalinize urine
Who gets admitted to a burn center?
No 1st degree burns
2nd and 3rd degree:
>20% (>10% if <10 or >50)
Or if significant hand/face/feet/genital/perineal/joint skin burns
3rd degree: >5% any age group
Electrical and chemical burns
Concomitant inhalational injury
Mechanical trauma, preexisting medical conditions, patients with special needs, child abuse/neglect
TBSA assessment
Rule of 9s
Head 9 Arms 9 each Chest 18 Back 18 Legs 18 each Perineum 1
Or palm = 1%
Parkland formula
Use for burns >/= 20%
Volume LR = 4 cc/kg x kg x % TBSA
Give 1/2 in first 8 hours, second half in second 16 hours
UOP best measure: goal 0.5-1.0 cc/kg/h in adults, 2-4 cc/kg/h in <6mo
When can Parkland formula grossly underestimate volume requirement?
inhalational injury
EtOH
electrical injury
post-escharatomy
What do you use in burn resuscitation?
LR in first 24 hr
Albumin in first day can cause increased pulmonary complications. Can use after 24hr
Escharotomy indications
- Circumferential deep burns
- Low temp
- Weak pulse
- Decreased capillary refill
- Decreased pain sensation
- Decreased neurological function in extremitiy
- Problems ventilating patient with chest torso burns
Perform within 4-6 hours
Fasciotomy indication in burn patient
If compartment syndrome suspected after escharotomy
Risk factors for burn injuries
EtOH Drugs Age (very young or very old) Smoking Low socioeconomic status Violence Epilepsy
H&P signs that suggest abuse
- Delayed presentation for care
- Conflicting histories
- Previous injuries
- Sharply demarcated margins
- Uniform depth
- Absence of splash marks
- Stocking or glove patterns
- Flexor sparing
- Dorsal location on hands
- Very deep localized contact injury
Child abuse accounts for 15% of burn injuries in children
Lung injury MoA
Carbonaceous materials and smoke (not heat)
Risk factors for airway injury in burn
- EtOH
- Trauma
- Closed space
- Rapid combustion
- Extremes of age
- Delayed extrication
Signs and symptoms of possible airway injury
- Facial burns
- Wheezing
- Carbonaceous sputum
Indications for intubation
- Upper airway stridor or obstruction
- Worsening hypoxemia
- Massive volume resuscitation can worsen symptoms
Most common infection in patients with >30% BSA burns
Pneumonia
Also MCC death after >30% BSA burns
MCC death after 30% BSA burns
Pneumonia
Acid and alkali burns tx
Copious water irrigation
Alkalis produce deeper burns due to liquefaction necrosis
Acid burns produced coagulation necrosis
Hydrofluoric acid burns tx
Calcium
Powder burns tx
Wipe away before irrigation
Tar burns tx
Cool, then wipe away with lipophilic solvent (adhesive remover)
Electrical burns tx and complications
Cardiac monitoring
Monitor for rhabdo and compartment syndrome
Watch for polyneuritis, quadriplegia, transverse myelitis, cataracts, liver necrosis, intestinal perforation, gallbladder perforation, pancreatic necrosis
Lightning burn complication
Cardiopulmonary arrest 2/2 electrical paralysis of brainstem