A retrospective study of etiopathological and preventive factors in a burns unit in Saudi Arabia

A 10-bed state-of-the-art burns unit was commissioned at King Fahd Specialist Hospital, Buraidah, Al-Qassim and the first 90 cases admitted to the unit over an 18-month period were analysed. The mean age (+/-SD) was 14.9 (+/-1.5) years with a range of 6 months-55 years. Fifty-one per cent were males, 52.2 per cent were children under 12 years of age and of these 85.1 per cent were under 5 years of age. Scalds and flames accounted for 90 per cent of the burns. Domestic burns formed the majority of cases, 64 (71 per cent), and most patients were admitted within the first 24 h (76 per cent). The mean (+/-SE) of the total body surface area (TBSA) was 23 per cent (+/-2.4) with a range of 3-98 per cent. The mean hospital stay for the whole group was 16.4 days. Overall mortality was five patients (5.6 per cent) while the mortality in critical burns was 14.3 per cent. TBSA was found to be the main factor influencing mortality. This study highlights the important factors that affect the outcome in this unit. Factors that can improve the morbidity and mortality rates in patients are highlighted. The study also reveals certain patterns and etiological factors in the Qassim region. Prevention by education through a national campaign remains the keystone in reducing the incidence of burns particularly in children and the maximization of resources.