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Differences in body temperature changes during dressing change in surviving and non-surviving burned patients
T Shiozaki1, A Hiraide, T Shimazu
1Department of Traumatology, Osaka University Medical School, Japan.
The British Journal of Surgery
|June 1, 1995
Summary
Body temperature changes (delta BT) during dressing changes in burn patients can predict prognosis. A decreasing delta BT indicates survival, while an increase may signal sepsis development.
Area of Science:
- Burn injury research
- Thermoregulation in critical illness
- Prognostic markers in trauma
Background:
- Extensive burns cause significant physiological stress, impacting body temperature regulation.
- Monitoring thermoregulation is crucial for assessing burn patient outcomes and complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between body temperature changes (delta BT) during dressing changes and patient prognosis in extensively burned adults.
- To determine if delta BT can serve as an early indicator for sepsis development.
Main Methods:
- Measured body temperature changes (delta BT) during dressing changes in 52 extensively burned adults.
- Classified patients into four groups based on survival and prognostic burn index (PBI).
- Analyzed delta BT trends in relation to time post-burn, dressing change duration, and wound area.
Main Results:
- Mean delta BT was -0.5(0.8)°C and not correlated with dressing change time or wound area.
- Survivors (Group I) showed a progressive decrease in delta BT after day 16.
- Non-survivors (Groups III & IV) had unchanged delta BT, while delta BT increased before sepsis diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Delta BT during dressing changes is a valuable prognostic indicator in extensively burned patients.
- Monitoring delta BT can aid in the early detection of sepsis in this patient population.