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Published on: February 23, 2024
[Burn treated at the Haukeland University Hospital Burn Centre--20 years of experience]
Henning Onarheim1, Anne Berit Guttormsen, Einar Eriksen
1Kirurgisk serviceklinikk, Haukeland Universitetssykehus, 5021 Bergen. henning.onarheim@helse-bergen.no
Insights
Burn admissions remained constant over 20 years despite prevention efforts. Specialized burn care is crucial for severe injuries, with survival depending on burn severity and patient age.
Area of Science:
- Trauma Surgery
- Burn Management
- Public Health
Context:
- Haukeland University Hospital's national burn center has operated since 1984.
- A 20-year period (1984-2004) of burn admissions was analyzed.
- This study examines trends in burn injuries and patient outcomes.
Purpose:
- To analyze burn admission data from 1984-2004.
- To identify demographic, injury, and outcome characteristics of burn patients.
- To assess the impact of burn prevention measures over time.
Summary:
- 1294 acute admissions for burns, chemical, or high-voltage injuries were reviewed.
- The average patient was a 29.6-year-old male with 19.5% body surface area burned.
- Mortality was 10.8%, with survival significantly impacted by age and burn severity.
Impact:
- No reduction in patient transfers to the burn center was observed despite prevention initiatives.
- Survival probability for a 60% body surface area burn was approximately 50%.
- This highlights the ongoing need for specialized burn care and effective prevention strategies.
Background:
The Burn Centre at Haukeland University Hospital has had a national burn function since 1984.
Patients And Methods:
The following data were reviewed: area injured, age, sex, length of stay, mortality and county of residence for all admissions in the period 1984-2004.
Results:
1294 acute admissions for burns, chemical injuries or high-voltage injuries were identified. 71% of the patients were male. The mean age was 29.6 years; 24% were below 3 years of age. The mean (SD) area of injury was 19.5 +/- 18.3 % of the body surface area. 458 patients (35%) had burns involving less than 10% of the body surface area. The mean length of hospitalisation was 19.5 +/- 19.8 days. 140 patients (10.8%) died before discharge; these had a significantly higher age and injured area than the 1154 survivors. Every year there were 2-3 patients who had such extensive burns or substantial comorbidity that they only received palliative treatment. The probability of survival after a burn affecting 60% of the body surface, was around 50 % for all ages combined. On average 1.17 patients per 100.000 inhabitants were transferred annually from other parts of Norway for specialized treatment at this burn centre.
Interpretation:
Despite societal focus on burn prevention measures there has been no reduction in the number of patients transferred to the burn centre during the 20-year period.
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Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History: