Epidemiology and outcome of Burns at Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar

摘要

Objectives: To determine the epidemiology, describe the clinical presentation, outcome and the factors responsible for fatal outcome of burn patients.Patients and Methods: A total of 240 patients admitted in Surgical D unit, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar from March 2004 to Feb 2005 with burn injuries were included. Patient characteristics including age, sex, type of burn, total body surface areas (TBSA) burned, any first aid received, treatment given in hospital and outcome were recorded.Results: 52.2% of the 240 patients were females. 31.66% patients were below 10 years of age, while 21.25% and 27.08% were in the second and third decades. Majority had less than 20% TBSA burns (47.5%) and only 4.1% had more than 50% TBSA burns. Flame burns were the commonest (45%) followed by scalds 31.6% and electrical 10.83%. Scalds were common in children. 130 patients improved with daily washes, dressing and debridements, systemic and local antibiotics. Skingrafts needed in 30 patients, 36 were referred to plastic surgery unit and 16 with more than 40% TBSA burns were referred to specialized burn centres. Mortality was 19 with sepsis as the leading cause, multiple organ failure, and shock were other causes of mortality.Conclusions: Burns injury is a major public health concern and is associated with significantly high morbidity and mortality. Flame, scald and electrical burns are commonly a result of domestic and occupation accidents and are preventable. The effectiveness of initial resuscitation, infection control and adequate surgical treatment improves short and long term outcomes.