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[Chickenpox, burns and grafts]
Insights
Chickenpox (varicella) in burned children undergoing surgery did not worsen outcomes. Graft repair surgery typically proceeded uneventfully during varicella infection stages.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
Context:
- An outbreak of chickenpox (varicella) occurred in a specialized pediatric Burns Repair Surgery Unit.
- The study involved 27 pediatric patients with burns requiring surgical repair.
- The timeframe for the outbreak was June to November 1975.
Purpose:
- To analyze the correlation between varicella infection stages, burn trauma, and surgical repair outcomes.
- To determine if varicella exacerbates burn healing or surgical repair.
- To assess the safety and outcome of graft repair surgery in varicella patients.
Summary:
- Burns and their surgical repair did not appear to aggravate chickenpox (varicella) in pediatric patients.
- Graft repair surgery generally had an uneventful outcome, even when performed during varicella's incubation, acme, or convalescence.
- The study confirmed that peak secondary viremia in varicella precedes the onset of the exanthem, occurring during the late incubation period.
Impact:
- Provides evidence that pediatric burn patients with varicella can undergo necessary surgical repairs without increased risk.
- Informs clinical decision-making regarding the timing of reconstructive surgery in children with concurrent varicella infections.
- Contributes to understanding the natural history and viral kinetics of varicella in immunocompromised or recovering patient populations.
Abstract:
An outbreak of chickenpox that occurred at the Burns Repair Surgery Unit, Department of Children's Surgery, Hospital R. del Río, between June and November, 1975, is reported. 27 cases of burned children were studied, including analysis of correlations of the stages and outcome of the disease (varicela), the trauma (burns) and the graft (repair surgery). As a result, the authors emphasize the following findings: 1. Burns and their repair are not aggravating factors for varicella. In a small number of cases the exanthema looked more confluent in the graft surgical areas and in the first degree burns healing spontaneously. 2. Usually there was an uneventful outcome of graft repair surgery on a varicella patient, either during the incubation period, the acme or the convalescence. 3. The fact that the outmost intensity of secondary viremia of varicella occurs before the onset of exanthemia, that is, during the late incubation period, is confirmed.