BACKGROUND: Burn injuries in Iran, like in other developing countries, are much more common than in the USA and Europe. Although there are a few articles dealing with epidemiological studies of burn injuries in Iran, investigations regarding the quality of burn care are scant. This study was undertaken to determine current survival statistics and lengths of stay in the population of burned patients treated at two university burn units in Shiraz, Iran, during four years. MATERIAL/ METHODS: The charts of 2057 burn patients were reviewed for survival and length of stay. Probit analysis was performed to develop mortality contours incorporating age and burn percentage. RESULTS: A total of 2057 patients were enrolled in this study. One thousand three hundred fifty-seven (61.9%) survived their injuries. The mean age was 19 years and mean burn size was 30% of the total body surface area (%TBSA). Septic complications accounted for 76% of the deaths, irreversible burn shock for 20%, and only 0.57% were directly related to severe smoke inhalation. The mean and median lengths of hospital stay were 16.8 and 10 days, respectively. The mean and median lengths of stay of survivors were 19.9 and 13 days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The resulting figures are terrifying and dreadful compared with those of developed countries. It is necessary to reevaluate treatment policies and modify, improve, and update the organization of our burn units.
BACKGROUND: Burn injuries in Iran, like in other developing countries, are much more common than in the USA and Europe. Although there are a few articles dealing with epidemiological studies of burn injuries in Iran, investigations regarding the quality of burn care are scant. This study was undertaken to determine current survival statistics and lengths of stay in the population of burned patients treated at two university burn units in Shiraz, Iran, during four years. MATERIAL/ METHODS: The charts of 2057 burn patients were reviewed for survival and length of stay. Probit analysis was performed to develop mortality contours incorporating age and burn percentage. RESULTS: A total of 2057 patients were enrolled in this study. One thousand three hundred fifty-seven (61.9%) survived their injuries. The mean age was 19 years and mean burn size was 30% of the total body surface area (%TBSA). Septic complications accounted for 76% of the deaths, irreversible burn shock for 20%, and only 0.57% were directly related to severe smoke inhalation. The mean and median lengths of hospital stay were 16.8 and 10 days, respectively. The mean and median lengths of stay of survivors were 19.9 and 13 days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The resulting figures are terrifying and dreadful compared with those of developed countries. It is necessary to reevaluate treatment policies and modify, improve, and update the organization of our burn units.
Authors: H Mohammadi-Barzelighi; R Alaghehbandan; A Motevallian; F Alinejad; S Soleimanzadeh-Moghadam; M Sattari; A R Lari Journal: Ann Burns Fire Disasters Date: 2011-06-30