T H J Venter1, J S Karpelowsky, H Rode. 1. Department of Paediatric Surgery, Red Cross Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, Cape Town, South Africa.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The beneficial effects of cooling a fresh burn wound were well demonstrated. However, there are still conflicting reports as to the optimum temperature of coolant, duration of application and effects in limiting tissue damage. A study was undertaken to investigate this, the importance of the temperature of, and the time period of application of the coolant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four identical deep dermal wounds were created on the back of 10 anaesthetised pigs. Each animal served as an independent experimental model. The effectiveness of cooling was monitored by measuring intradermal temperatures. The animals were divided into two groups; using ice water and tap water as the coolants. In each pig one wound was not cooled (wound 1). Three were cooled; one immediately for 30 min in group 1 and for 4 h in group 2 (wound 2). The other two wounds were cooled after 30 min for 30 min and 3 h (wounds 3 and 4, respectively). RESULTS: It was found that the temperature of the coolant was crucial. When ice water of 1-8 degrees C (group 1) was used more necrosis than in the wounds that were not cooled was seen. When tap water was used at 12-18 degrees C (group 2) it was demonstrated clinically and histologically that the cooled wounds had less necrosis than the uncooled wounds and thus healed faster. In group 2 the beneficial effects of cooling were still present when delayed for half an hour. CONCLUSION: First aid cooling of a burn wound with tap water is an effective method of minimising the damage sustained during a burn, and is universally and immediately available. Ice water cooling is associated with an increase in tissue damage.
BACKGROUND: The beneficial effects of cooling a fresh burn wound were well demonstrated. However, there are still conflicting reports as to the optimum temperature of coolant, duration of application and effects in limiting tissue damage. A study was undertaken to investigate this, the importance of the temperature of, and the time period of application of the coolant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four identical deep dermal wounds were created on the back of 10 anaesthetised pigs. Each animal served as an independent experimental model. The effectiveness of cooling was monitored by measuring intradermal temperatures. The animals were divided into two groups; using ice water and tapwater as the coolants. In each pig one wound was not cooled (wound 1). Three were cooled; one immediately for 30 min in group 1 and for 4 h in group 2 (wound 2). The other two wounds were cooled after 30 min for 30 min and 3 h (wounds 3 and 4, respectively). RESULTS: It was found that the temperature of the coolant was crucial. When ice water of 1-8 degrees C (group 1) was used more necrosis than in the wounds that were not cooled was seen. When tapwater was used at 12-18 degrees C (group 2) it was demonstrated clinically and histologically that the cooled wounds had less necrosis than the uncooled wounds and thus healed faster. In group 2 the beneficial effects of cooling were still present when delayed for half an hour. CONCLUSION: First aid cooling of a burn wound with tapwater is an effective method of minimising the damage sustained during a burn, and is universally and immediately available. Ice water cooling is associated with an increase in tissue damage.
Authors: Tareq Alyahya; Faisal Ali Al Jabr; Aqeel Hussain Alrashid; Fahad Khalifah Almulhim; Mohammed Tayi M Almutairi; Rayan Abdulwahab Buhalim; Abdulrahman Ahmed Al Naim Journal: World J Plast Surg Date: 2022-03
Authors: Tomasz Żądkowski; Paweł Nachulewicz; Maciej Mazgaj; Magdalena Woźniak; Czesław Cielecki; Andrzej Paweł Wieczorek; Iwona Beń-Skowronek Journal: Medicine (Baltimore) Date: 2016-10 Impact factor: 1.889