Management of Head and Neck Burns – a 15 year review

Publication date: Available online 11 September 2017
Source:Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Author(s): Travis J. Hamilton, Jeromy Patterson, Rachael Y. Williams, Walter L. Ingram, Juvonda S. Hodge, Shelly Abramowicz
PurposeThe purpose of this project was to characterize isolated head and neck burns admitted to Grady Memorial Hospital (GMH) Burn Center.Materials and MethodsThis was a retrospective case series of patients admitted to GMH Burn Center with primary diagnosis of head and neck burns from 2000-2015. Demographic data (gender and age) were recorded. Burn details (etiology, mechanism, percent of burned total body surface area [TBSA], depth, and associated injuries) was summarized. Patient management and hospital course were documented. The data were collected using a standardized collection form. Descriptive statistics were computed.ResultsThere were 5,938 patients admitted to burn unit at GMH during the study period. Of them, 2,547 patients had head and neck burns. 205 patients met inclusion criteria. Majority (n=136, 66%) were male with a mean age of 40 years old. The most common burn depth was superficial partial thickness. Flame burns were the most likely mechanism related to full thickness injury. About a quarter of patients had an associated injury such as inhalation or ocular injury. Surgical interventions consisted of tangential excision and split thickness skin grafting, contracture release, excision of hypertrophic scars, and rotational flaps. The mean LOS for isolated head and neck burns was 4.4 days. Overall mortality was 2%.ConclusionThe results of this study show that superficial partial thickness head and neck burns were more likely to occur due to accidental exposure to flames in men older than 55 years. Due to an increase in risk and mortality of inhalation injury associated with head and neck burns, airway protection and respiratory management are critical considerations of head and neck burn management.



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