• Journal of the Korean Burn Society
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.42-53
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• 2020

Purpose: It is important to consider both clinical factors and epidemiological factors in treating burn patients in emergency rooms. However, many emergency medical staffs happen to miss their chances of treating burns based on these considerations. This study is designed to find a better treatment for burn patients in emergency rooms along this approach. Methods: This study was conducted based on the data of the burn patients visiting the emergency room of a single general hospital from January 2015 to December 2019. The epidemiological and clinical factors were extracted out of the data, then the relationship between the prognosis and these factors were analyzed. Results: Most of burn accidents occurred at home, and were caused by hot water, soup, drinks, oil, etc. Especially, flame burns showed high hospitalization rate, surgical rate and mortality. In addition, their prognosis was poor when the affected area included facial, limb and perineal areas etc., or any inhalation burn co-existed. Also, the hospitalization rate and period increased when the treatment time was delayed or the pre-treatment was taken. There was a strong relationship between prognosis and the period of follow-up when patients were admitted during the period. Conclusion: It is difficult for medical staffs to evaluate prognosis of burns in emergency rooms due to progressive damages. Precise treatment and disposition are essential for patients' good prognosis. Therefore, medical staffs should establish treatment plans by identifying the patient's epidemiological and clinical factors, rather than giving prescriptions based on fragmentary and superficial symptoms.

• Journal of the Korean Burn Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.49-52
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• 2019

Purpose: Little information has been published regarding minor burn injuries in infants, most of which are preventable. To fill this research gap, this study explored the patterns and mechanisms of burn injuries in infants to ascertain whether such incidents can be prevented. Methods: This was a retrospective study, based on data collected prospectively from all infants (<12 months old) admitted to our hospital with burns in the four-year period between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2018. A medical record review provided basic demographic information, such as age at the time of injury, sex, cause of injury, duration of treatment, operative treatment, and the extent and type of burn, as well as the anatomical region involved. Results: Fifty-seven infants were diagnosed with burn injuries, with scalding being the most common type (47%), followed by contact (32%) and steam (14%). Seven infants of eight steam burn patients injured by pressure cooker. Superficial second degree was the most common depth of injury (72%) followed by first degree (17%) and deep second degree (8%). Average age per injury type was calculated by independent T-test. Average ages of patients with contact and steam burns were significantly lower (7.06 months; P=0.19) and higher (9.25 months; P=0.005), respectively, than for other burn types. Conclusion: Given that infants cannot control their body movements, talk, or manage by themselves, they are entirely dependent on the proper care of adults. Consequently, in addition to the prevention of burns, special care should be taken for the pressure cooker.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.445-450
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• 2011

Purpose: The objective of this study is to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pediatric burn patients and to determine the targets for a pediatric burn prevention program. Methods: A retrospective review of all medical records of acute pediatric burn patients (age < 15 years old) admitted to our hospital between January 2005 and December 2009 was performed. Results: 1472 males and 1323 females were investigated, with a male to female ratio of 1.11 : 1. The greatest number of burn patients were those with an age of 1~2 years (1,463, 52.3%). Scalding burn was the most common cause of injury, which accounted for 2183 (78.1%) patients, followed by contact burns (10.5%), flame burn (4.9%), steam burn (3.6%). Especially steam burn was the second cause of injury in the age under 1 year, while flame burn was the second cause of injury in the age over 7 years. During recent 5 years, incidence of flame burn, steam burn, electrical burn gradually decreased. Variation of seasonal incidence is minimal and most of the patients (2,716 cases, 97.2%) had burns less than 20% TBSA (Total body surface area). The median hospital stay was 18.79 days, and the rate of operation was 28.6% with a high rate in electrical burn (76.2%), flame burn (50.0%), steam burn (46.1%). 6 patients died in this series, which yielded a mortality rate of 0.2%. Conclusion: Prevention efforts should reflect recent study results. Focused prevention program and campaign to make people aware of risk factors and their avoidance is required to reduce the number of burn accidents in children.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.581-586
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• 2006

Purpose: Pediatric burn still generates social problem leading to physical and mental sequelae for ages. We studied to help make a program for the prevention of pediatric burn. Methods: We analyzed retrospectically 2759 acute burn patients under the age of 15 years in recent 5years (January 2000 - December 2004). Results: 1553 males and 1226 females were investigated, with a male to female ratio of 1.25 : 1. The greatest number of burn patients were those with an age of 1 - 2 years(1435, 52%). Scalding burn was the most common cause of injury, which accounted for 1980 (71.8%) patients, followed by contact burns(286, 10.4%), flame burn(229, 8.3%), steam burn(141, 5.1%). Especially steam burn was the second cause of injury in the age under 1 year, while flame burn was the same in the age over 3 years. During recent 5 years, incidence of contact burn increased over twofold despite the others did not changed substantially. Variation of seasonal incidence is minimal and most of the patients(2545 cases, 92.2%) had burns of ${\leq}20%$ TBSA. The median hospital stay was 18.3 days, and the rate of operation was 35.4% with an high rate in electrical burn(70.6%), steam burn(68.8%), contact burn(65%). 27 patients died in this series, which yielded a mortality rate of 1%. Conclusion: We expect that these data will be used as a basis for prevention of pediatric burn.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.145-157
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• 2017

Purpose: We accessed epidemioloy of 908 acute burns (7 years) in the military, of injuries and propose proper educational programs to suit community. Methods: We surveyed burn demographics, circumstances of injuries, size, result of treatment. Results: The mean age was 20.6 years. The flame burns (FB) (325, 35.8%) were most common, followed scald (SB) (305, 33.6%), contact (CB) (219, 24.1%), electric (EB) (45, 5.0%) and chemical burns (ChB) (14, 1.5%). The more occurred during winter (29.7%). SB had mean 3.9% total body surface area (TBSA). The 251 (82.3%) had superficial burns by spillage of hot water/food on lower limbs (45.6%), feet (33.8%) in summer (34.8%), treated with simple dressing (92.8%). Morbidity rate was 5.6%; post traumatic stress disease (PTSD) (0.7%). FB had large wound (9.3% TBSA). The 209 (64.3%) had superficial burns by ignition to flammable oils (31.7%) and bomb powders (29.2%) on head/neck (60.3%), hands (58.6%) in summer (31.7%), autumn (30.2%). They underwent simple dressing (83.4%) and skin graft (16.0%). Morbidity rate was 18.8%; PTSD (10.5%), inhalation injuries (4.0%), corneal injury (3.7%), amputations (0.9%), and mortality rate (1.2%). CB had small (1.1% TBSA), deep burns (78.5%) by hotpack (80.4%) on lower limbs (80.4%). The more (59.8%) underwent skin graft. EB had 6.8% TBSA. The 29 (64.4%) had superficial burns by touching to high tension cable (71.1%) on hand (71.1%), upper limbs (24.4%) in autumn (46.8%). They underwent simple dressing (71.1%) and skin graft (24.4%). They showed high morbidity rate (40.0%); loss of consciousness (13.3%), nerve injuries (11.1%), neuropathy (8.9%), amputations (2.2%), and mortality rate (2.2%). Conclusions: The cook should wear apron over the boots during work. The lighter or smoking should be strictly prohibited during work with flammable liquids or bomb powders. Don't directly apply hotpack to skin for a long time. Use insulating glove during electric work. Keep to the basic can prevent severe injury and proper education is important.