Clinical Profile and Outcome of Acute Burn Care in a Tertiary Care Center of Western Nepal.

Abstract

Background: Burns are a global public health problem that enormously impact Nepal's health system. The treatment of burns is a challenging job for developing and underdeveloped countries. Major burn injuries are associated with high mortality in Nepal. However, extensive service is being provided, along with the gradual establishment of dedicated burn care units. This study aimed to determine the demographics of burn patients presented to the authors' center and the outcomes of acute burn care.

Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study of burn patients admitted from September 2022 to November 2023.

Results: The study included 101 patients ranging in age from 6 months to 77 years, with a median age of 27.8 years. The highest incidence of burns was among the male patients (56.4%), followed by the female patients (43.6%). Children under 15 years old comprised 45.5% of the admitted patients, and scald burns were the most common cause of burns in this group. The incidence of flame burns was highest among the working-class population and older adults. The total body surface area of the admitted patients ranged from 5% to 90%, with a mean of 15.22%. A total of 46.5% of the patients underwent operative management, of whom 36.2% required multiple surgeries. Hospital-stay duration ranged from 1 to 83 days, with a mean stay of 13.9 days. The study showed a 7.9% mortality rate.

Conclusions: The number of patients hospitalized due to burns is increasing, especially in the winter season. It mostly affects younger age groups, with the most common cause being scald burn. The mortality rate is found to increase as the extent of burn increases.