Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Lower extremity burns and Unna paste: can we decrease health care costs without compromising patient care?

N J Wells1, J C Boyle, C F Snelling

  • 1Division of Plastic Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver General Hospital. BC.

Canadian Journal of Surgery. Journal Canadien De Chirurgie
|December 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

External multicentre validation of pseudomyxoma peritonei PSOGI-Ki67 classification.

European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology·2023
Same author

The appendix "mucocoele" misnomer: radiological terminology of "likely appendix mucinous neoplasm" better reflects pathology findings.

Clinical radiology·2022
Same author

Not all abdominal masses after colorectal cancer surgery are malignant: intra-abdominal fibromatosis masquerading as recurrence.

Colorectal disease : the official journal of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland·2019
Same author

Towards quantifying the role of hydrogen bonding within amphiphile self-association and resultant aggregate formation.

Chemical science·2018
Same author

Acute choke zone effects: Lessons from radioactive and fluorescent microspheres in a pig model muscle flap.

Plastic surgery (Oakville, Ont.)·2015
Same author

Primary cutaneous nodular amyloidosis associated with psoriasis.

Clinical and experimental dermatology·2014
Same journal

Trends in the incidence and surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in Ontario.

Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie·2026
Same journal

Referral patterns and wait times in complex peripheral nerve injuries: a review of a multidisciplinary clinic in Canada.

Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie·2026
Same journal

Cost of hospital admission after autologous breast reconstruction and factors associated with increased cost: a population-based cohort study.

Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie·2026
Same journal

Outpatient surgical referrals from primary care providers for people experiencing homelessness: a retrospective review.

Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie·2026
Same journal

Management of cystic echinococcosis in British Columbia: outcomes and suggestions to improve guideline adherence.

Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie·2026
Same journal

Practical solutions for complex surgical problems: right operation, right place, right time: General Surgery Atlantic Conference 2026, May 22-24, 2026, Fox Harb'r Resort, Fox Harbour, Nova Scotia.

Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie·2026
See all related articles

An alternative treatment for lower extremity burns using Unna paste dressing significantly reduced hospital stays from 12.9 to 1.4 days. This safe and effective method offers substantial cost savings and excellent graft viability.

Area of Science:

  • Burn Care
  • Wound Healing
  • Surgical Dressings

Background:

  • Standard in-hospital treatment for lower extremity burns involves split-thickness skin grafting (STSG), occlusive gauze dressings, and prolonged bed rest.
  • This traditional approach leads to extended hospital stays and higher healthcare costs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate an alternative treatment protocol for lower extremity burns.
  • To compare the efficacy and safety of this new regimen against standard care.
  • To determine if the alternative treatment can shorten hospital duration.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control series was conducted at a university-affiliated hospital.
  • Patients with lower extremity burns received STSG, Unna paste dressing, immediate mobilization, and early discharge.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Outcomes were compared with matched controls from previous years who received standard care.

    • Main Results:

    • The alternative treatment group (n=13) demonstrated excellent graft viability (>95%) and comparable burn-scar ratings to controls.
    • Hospital stay was dramatically reduced from a mean of 12.9 days to 1.4 days.
    • This approach resulted in significant cost savings of $10,350 per patient with no reported complications.

    Conclusions:

    • The alternative treatment using Unna paste dressing is a safe, inexpensive, and effective option for lower extremity burns.
    • It is recommended as the preferred treatment for uncomplicated, noncircumferential lower extremity burns.
    • This protocol significantly shortens hospital stays and reduces costs without compromising outcomes.