A new era in the management of burns trauma in Kumasi, Ghana (original) (raw)
Related papers
Journal of Acute Disease, 2017
and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Informed written consent was obtained from patients. The journal implements double-blind peer review practiced by specially invited international editorial board members. Objective: To determine the trends in burn admissions, and aetiology, severity and mortality of patients admitted to the Burns Intensive Care Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital from May 2009 to April 2016 (7 years). Methods: Patients' data used in this longitudinal and retrospective study were accessed from the records of the Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit. Processed data were depicted in tables and figures as appropriate. Univariate and multivariate analysis and Pearson's rank correlation were used in comparing relevant groups. Data analysis was conducted using Excel version 2013 and SPSS version 17.0. Results: A total of 681 patients, with a male to female ratio of 1.1:1.0, were analysed. The average annual incidence was 97.28 with a progressive decline in incidence. Mortality rate was 24.2%. Majority of the patients were children less than 10 years (43.5%) with scalds as the main aetiology in this group. Open flame was the major aetiology of burns (49.9%). Majority of the patients spent less than 10 days on admission (67.1%). Mean total body surface area was 30.54%. There was correlation between TBSA and disposition, total body surface area and aetiology and number of days in the Burns Intensive Care Unit, total body surface area and aetiology, and aetiology and number of days in the Burns Intensive Care Unit. Conclusions: Children below 10 years were the main victims. There was a shift from scald to open flame burns in this current study. Mean total body surface area and mortality rate have increased. There is urgent need for prevention campaign of flame burn and first aid education on intensive burns.
Burn Management at the 37 Military Hospital—A Tertiary Hospital in Accra, Ghana
Modern Plastic Surgery, 2022
Burn injuries have been and remain a very significant source of mortality and morbidity in low-and middle-income countries. As a country in this category, Ghana, is not exempted. Ghana has a population of 31 Million with only 21 Plastic Reconstructive and Burn surgeons. Moreover, the country can boast of only 3 major Burn centres. This notwithstanding the country in particular and Africa, in general, carries an extraordinary burden of Burn injuries with devastating consequences. Burn data from the 37 Military Hospital were analyzed from March 2018 to September 2019-a period of 18 months. In all, 217 burn cases were seen representing about 2.1% of all trauma and surgical cases. Our burn data analyzed the peculiarities of epidemiology, types of burn, the pattern of injuries, and the outcome of burn care at the 37 Military Hospital. Flame is emerging as the predominant cause of burns, most frequently occurring from the use of Liquid Petroleum Gas. In the pediatric population, however, the most frequent cause of burns is hot water burns. The mortality rate among the burn population was 1.8% (4 mortalities). This paper aims to point out management methods adopted by our unit which helped to improve burn outcomes and to reduce mortality.
Epidemiological studies of burn patients in a burn center in Ghana: any clues for prevention?
Burns & Trauma, 2016
BackgroundBurn injuries are a serious problem worldwide, with most occurrences in low- and middle-income countries. Depending on the extent of injury, burn victims are faced with the challenges of fitting into society due to complications such as extensive scarring and contractures. The current study seeks to determine whether epidemiological studies of burn patients can provide guidelines to enhance burn prevention among the Ghanaian population.MethodsData from the Burns Registry of the Burns Intensive Care Unit (BICU) of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) was obtained. Data on sex, age, aetiology, % total body surface area (TBSA), and admission outcomes from May 1, 2009, to April 30, 2013, were retrieved for a total of 487 patients during this period.ResultsData on burn admissions comprising 263 (54.0 %) males and 224 (46.0 %) females were obtained from the Burns Registry. Children 0–10 years were the most affected age group. The yearly mean % TBSA ranged from 24.74 % to 35.07 ...
Eplasty, 2008
Burn injuries are among the most devastating injuries seen in the emergency units. The epidemiology of this injury varies from one part of the world to another. This is a 3-year report in an attempt to provide information on the current epidemiology of burns in this center. Patients admitted into the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, with burn injuries were prospectively studied between February 2005 and January 2008. The 59 patients (33 males and 26 females) accounted for 3.7% of trauma patients and their ages ranged from 15 to 70 years (mean 29.4 years). Flame burn was the commonest injury seen in 48 (81.3%) patients because of petrol and kerosene, whereas chemical burn that involved 7 (11.9%) patients ranked second. Morbidity included burns wound infection in 13 (22%) patients and contractures in 6 (10.2%) patients. The outcome was fatal in 15 (25.4%) patients. The establishment of burn support groups dedicated to publicity on prevention based on areas of risk highlighted ...
A Focused Look On The State Of Burn Injury: Case Study of a Tertiary Institution in Nigeria
The Internet Journal of Surgery, 2009
CONTEXT AND AIM: Burn injury is common. Measures that reduce morbidity and mortality have been the gold standard of treatment. There is a need for a regular review to assess the impact of such measures and their availability.METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 138 consecutive patients that presented to the burn unit of our hospital with acute burns over a fiveyear period.RESULTS: Ninety-two patients (66.7%) were males and 46 (33.3%) females with an age range of 2 months to 86 years. Flame was the most common cause of the injury. Fifty-five percent of the burn injuries occurred indoor. Late presentation was a usual occurrence. Artisans, students and traders constitute the majority of patients. The mortality rate was 45.8%. CONCLUSION: Burn remained a serious issue with high mortality in our environment. There is need for critical appraisal of the preventive measures and management principles currently being practised.
Burn injury in tertiary health facility in South East Nigeria: A 2 year prospective study
Burns Open, 2020
Background and Objective: Burn injury is one of the severest type of injury known to medicine. The metabolic demand on the body if not well managed can result in varying outcomes. Local practices, early access to health care and extent of injury has been shown to affect outcome. However, the obvious ignorance of /and inability to implement the preventive strategies has made it impossible to reduce the incidence. Inadequate health planning and policy contributes to pressure on the health system. Defining local epidemiology is pertinent for any successful policy planning and implementation at all levels. Methods and results: This a prospective epidemiological study of burn injury that presented at Federal Medical Centre Owerri, Imo State over a 24 months period (August 2016-August 2018). A total of 96 cases presented at the facility with a male:female of 1.4:1. The frequency of presentation was 0.92 cases per week. Majority of the injuries presented via the Emergency Room and flame was the most common aetiological agent. Food agents were usually applied on the wounds as first aid. The mortality the study was 14.3%. Most fire injuries occurred at home. The worst affected age group was the economically active (21-40 years). Conclusion: The study is very informative and can guide the centre in predicting its needs and managing resources. It also helps in defining targets for public enlightenment and intervention. We encourage big centres to do such studies so that a national face will be given to burn injury.
Journal of advances in medicine and medical research, 2017
Background: Burns injury has a global distribution and contributes to trauma mortality and morbidity. Whereas mortality from burns is reducing in most developed countries, the picture in developing countries such as Nigeria still remains gloomy. Better understandings of the pathophysiology of burns and improvement in burns care are reasons for the improved outcome of burns in developed countries. This study aims to identify the factors that influenced mortality and outcome of burns in Port Harcourt Nigeria. Methods: Retrospective evaluation of data of patients with burns from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2009 from a regional trauma registry in Port Harcourt Nigeria was undertaken and analysed. Factors observed to be associated with mortality and influenced outcome were determined and presented. Results: The result of this study showed that of the 301 cases of burns were recorded during the period under observation. Flame burns arising from misadventure with petroleum products (n=188 {62.5%}) had the highest fatality especially when associated with inhalational injury (P <0.0001). The total burnt surface area was the greatest determinant of mortality from burns (R = 0.86,
… of Burns and Fire …, 2009
Background. Burn injuries frequently occur in our homes and workplaces and during travels. They are a common presentation at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria, which is a regional centre for burns care and for plastic surgery, orthopaedic surgery, and trauma patients. Most burn injuries are preventable, and campaigns to arouse greater awareness are necessary to reduce the number of occurrences. Objectives. The objectives of this study are to highlight the causes of burn injuries and to characterize age and sex incidences, as also the severity of burn injuries. It is hoped that formidable preventive measures will be suggested to aid public enlightenment campaigns in fighting the scourge of burn injuries. Materials and method. A retrospective review of patient's folders from Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2005 showed that 414 cases of burn-injured patients were treated at the emergency unit of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu. Results. Flame burns accounted for 48.3% of burn injuries followed by scalds with 40.6%; chemical burns accounted for 6.3%, while electrical and friction burns accounted for 4.6% and 1.0% respectively. Males made up 60.4% of the cases and females 39.6% (ratio, 1.5:1). The age group most commonly affected was that of children aged between 0 and 10 yr, accounting for 37.2% of cases, followed by the 21-30 yr age group with 22.7%. Altogether, 95.0% of the patients were aged less than 50 yr. With regard to flame burns, 51.5% were due to petrol flames (premium motor spirit), while 33.0% were due to kerosene. Cooking gas explosions accounted for 7.5% of the cases and diesel (automotive gas oil) 1.0%. Of the scalds, hot water accounted for 89.3% and hot oil 7.7%. As to chemical burns, 84.6% were due to acids, with alkalis, corrosive creams, and others making up the rest. With regard to electrical injury, current passage accounted for 63.2% of cases and flash burns for 36.8%.
Pan African Journal of Life Sciences, 2022
Background: Burns constitute a significant public health problem worldwide, with most reported mortalities occurring in low and medium-income countries (LMICs). Therefore, this study aimed to generate epidemiological data on the aetiologies, patterns of presentations, and outcomes of burn injuries in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State. Methodology: This was a five-year prospective study of all patients with burns managed at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital. The required information was entered into a hospital-based burn data collection form from admission to discharge. The data generated were exported to IBM SPSS version 23 for analysis. Results: A total of 160 patients were included in this study. The median age was 10.5 years (IQR 2-33). Half of the patients were aged <10 years old. About 66.9% of the injuries occurred indoors, with the kitchen being the most common injury site (49.4%). Scald was the most common aetiology, and most injuries occurred in the morning. While 71.9% had first aid at the injury site, the first aid agents used were potentially harmful in most cases. The injuries were predominantly partial-thickness with a mean TBSA burn of 14% and a median ABSI of 4 (IQR 3-5). The lower limbs were the most frequently affected body regions, with an overall mortality rate of 5%. Conclusion: Scalds are the most common aetiology of burns in Ado Ekiti, with most injuries occurring in the kitchen. The populace needs to be adequately educated on the suitable materials to provide first aid to burn victims.