Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to E Helvig.
Care of the pediatric burn patient requires knowledge of physiologic differences between adults and children for estimation of burn size, calculation of fluid needs, and assessment of response. Dressing techniques, pain management, and nutritional and psychologic support of this population require special considerations.
In a prospective, randomized study of patients with major burns, the efficacy of cerium nitrate-silver sulfadiazine cream was compared with that of silver sulfadiazine cream alone. Sixty patients were studied, in two groups, with matching mean ages and mean burns sizes. Patients with associated injuries, smoke inhalation, or major medical illnesses were excluded from the study. The total number of deaths and the total number of deaths from sepsis were equal in both groups. The total number of patients whose quantitative burns wound biopsies indicated light (10(2) to 10(5) organisms/gm) or heavy (over 10(5) organisms/gm) colonization by microorganisms was not statistically different between the two groups. The distribution of bacterial isolates by organism was similar in both groups. In vitro sensitivity determinations indicated a comparable efficacy between the two agents. In this study no clear-cut superiority of one topical agent over the other could be demonstrated.
A retrospective review of 109 procedures was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of anesthesiologist-administered anesthesia in the burn intensive care unit treatment room. Intraprocedural and postprocedural complications, impact on patient activity, and nutritional goals were evaluated. The review suggested that these procedures can be performed safely with appropriate supervision and monitoring without detrimental effects on patient activity level or nutritional status.