[Which Management of Burn Sequelae to the Limbs in a Peculiar Context?]

Abstract

Burns are frequent lesions, often leading to serious functional or even life-threatening sequelae. Their care poses a problem in the countries of the South due to the lack of specialized centres. Through this study, we would like to share our experience. This was a descriptive retrospective study carried out over 36 months on 24 patients treated and followed up in the department for burn sequelae involving a limb. Functional results were classified as excellent, good, fairly good, fair and poor. Aesthetically, they have been categorized into satisfactory, unsatisfactory and poor. We recorded 1480 patients who underwent surgery, 24 of whom were operated on after burns. We noted a female predominance (sex ratio of 1.6) with an average age of 24.2 years (range 16-40). Domestic accidents (n=19) were the main circumstance of occurrence and there was a preponderance of thermal burns by flame (n=21). Twenty people were treated in the first year after burn with excellent, good and fair results in 10, 9 and 4 cases respectively. Burns can cause significant functional sequelae, the management of which requires specialized nursing staff. Training of caregivers oriented towards burn care without forgetting the related means remains a key element to minimizing the occurrence of these sequelae.