reported that females predominated, with an incidence of 61%, compared to a male incidence of 39% ( 12). A similar study of 1061 patients with facial burns by Castana et al. Facial burns were predominant in male patients with 291 cases or 83.1% while only 59 were female or 16.9%. In this retrospective study we included 350 patients in 6 year period with facial burns. They pose difficulties in pre-hospital resuscitation and are challenge to clinicians managing surviving burn victims in the intensive care setting ( 10- 11). If nose and ears are deeply burned, the anatomical structures can change or disappear ( 8).įacial and inhalational burns compromise airways. the nose and ears) facial skin is very thin and more vulnerable to deep burns. However, full-thickness burns can be seen, especially in contact burns and in the event of prolonged exposure to the heating source, for example if the patient was sub- or unconscious or paralyzed at the time of accident. ( 8, 9).Īlso facial burns are often caused by flash burns, which usually cause partial-thickness burns. Medium to deep second-degree burns, which epithelialize in 14 to 28 days or longer, must be carefully monitored because they are prone to the development of late hypertrophic scarring ( 7)? In the face, full-thickness burns are rare since the high vascularity of the face rapidly dissipates the heat. Medium-thickness second-degree burns, which epithelialize in 10 to 14 days, often heal without scarring, although long-term alterations in skin pigmentation and texture are frequent. Superficial second-degree facial burns usually heal spontaneously without scarring or pigmentary changes. Because of the difficulty and complexity of wound care including pain and the frequent cleansing to avoid infection, partial thickness burns of the face, often require hospital care ( 2- 6). Facial burns are also present in over 50% of large burns, the vast majority being partial thickness. Facial burns are extremely common, making up at least 30 to 50% of minor to moderate burns. The face is a psychologically significant area of the body and its disfigurement has been found to have numerous potential psychosocial consequences for patients. Children represent 25 to 50 % of the total burn population and the prevalence of facial burns in children is between 24 and 52 % ( 1). These percentages vary between 27 to 60%, depending on country, the setting and the definition of what constitutes a facial burn. The head and neck region is the most frequent site where a burn injury occurs. We came to the conclusion in our study that surgical treatment minimizes complications and duration of recovery. In our retrospective study we found that facial burns dominated in male gender, liquids and scalds are the most common causes of facial burns in children whereas the flame and electricity were the most common causes of facial burns in adults. Inhalational burns reduce survivability, certainly in adult victim. Management problems – resuscitation, airway maintenance and clinical treatment of facial injuries are compounded if the victim is child. They pose difficulties in pre-hospital resuscitation and are challenge to clinicians managing surviving burn victims in the intensive care setting. Facial and inhalational burns compromise airways. In severe cases there may be soot around the nose and mouth and coughing may produce phlegm that includes ash. First responders check the nostrils for singed hairs. This is due to the possibility of respiratory complications. Facial burns are generally considered severe.
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