TBSA Injury Research Articles

75 Tranexamic Acid Reduces Burn Wound Conversion and Lung Inflammation in a Murine Comb Burn Model

Abstract Introduction Burn wound conversion is a process where superficial partial thickness burns convert into deep partial and even full thickness burn injuries. Unfortunately, the pathophysiology of this phenomenon is poorly understood. A therapeutic intervention that may prevent secondary progression and cell death in burn-injured tissue is desirable. Recent work by our group has established that tranexamic acid (TXA) has significant anti-inflammatory properties in addition to its well-known anti-fibrinolytic effects. This study investigates tranexamic acid as a novel therapeutic treatment to mitigate burn wound conversion and reduce systemic inflammation. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a hot comb burn contact injury using a 150-g brass comb preheated to 100°C, to create four rectangular burns, separated by three unburned interspaces. A subset of animals underwent the comb burn injury with an adjacent 30% TBSA contact injury using solid brass rods. The interspaces represent the ischemic zones simulating the zone of stasis. The treatment group received IP injection of TXA (100mg/kg) immediately after injury and once daily until sacrifice. Sham animals underwent an identical procedure, with application of a room temperature comb. Animals were sacrificed at 6hrs and 7-day time points post-injury. Photo images were obtained of the comb burn injury. Full-thickness biopsies from the ischemic zones and lung tissue were assessed with established histological and immunohistochemical (IHC) techniques. Results At 7-days post injury, the percentage of ischemic zones with necrosis was significantly reduced in the treatment group when compared with untreated burn controls by photographic image analysis. When compared with controls, the treatment groups had significantly less progression of ischemic zones to necrosis when assessed by standard microscopy. These findings were consistent in both the comb burn only and comb burn + 30%TBSA injury models. The TXA treatment group demonstrated significantly more expression of the regeneration marker (CTHRC-1) and a trend toward increased expression of the Ki-67 proliferation marker when compared to untreated burn group. At 6 hours post-injury, TXA significantly decreased infiltration of neutrophils in the lungs for the 30%TBSA burn injury model. Furthermore, systemic levels of mitochondrial DNA, IL-1α and TNFα were significantly lower in TXA treated animals when compared to untreated burn controls. Conclusions Animals treated with tranexamic acid demonstrated reduced burn wound conversion and decreased burn-induced SIRS response. Lung inflammation was also significantly reduced by administration of TXA after injury. Applicability of Research to Practice Tranexamic acid and agents with similar mechanisms of action may provide a treatment to reduce burn wound conversion. This therapy could be easily incorporated into standard acute burn care practices.

607 Use of Autologous Skin Cell Suspension (ASCS) for Full-thickness Burn Injuries Reduces Autograft Procedures

IntroductionPediatric burn patients and patients with large TBSA injuries are vulnerable to morbidity and mortality, requiring multiple autograft (AG) procedures to obtain definitive closure due to limited donor site availability. The primary objective of this study was to understand the impact of ASCS, as an AG-sparing technology, on the number of AG procedures required to achieve definitive closure of full-thickness (FT) acute thermal burns.MethodsRetrospective analyses of real-world data were conducted, evaluating clinical outcomes of ASCS-treated patients in prospective, uncontrolled observational studies compared to control data from patients in the National Burn Repository version 8.0 (NBR) who had conventional AG (SOC). The pediatric population consisted of patients < 18 years of age, inclusive of any size TBSA, and the adult cohort included patients ≥ 18 years of age with >50% TBSA injury. Propensity score stratification was used to reduce bias attributable to potential differences in age, sex, %TBSA, and Baux scores between nonrandomized cohorts. Clinical outcomes evaluated included number of AG treatments, length of stay (LOS), healing, and mortality. Additional adverse events were evaluated and compared to historical SOC data sets.ResultsThe median number of AG procedures for pediatric patients treated with ASCS and control NBR cohorts was 1.0 (1.0-5.0) and 2.0 (1.0-20.0), respectively. For adult patients, the ASCS-treated and NBR cohorts had medians of 2.0 (1.0-6.0) and 5.0 (1.0-32.0) treatments, respectively. Overall, ASCS lead to approximately 60% fewer mean AG procedures for both populations. By week 8, re-epithelialization was observed in 91.8% and 90.6% of wounds in the pediatric and adult ASCS-treated cohorts. Median LOS for both cohorts were not different between the treatment groups. No significant differences were observed for mortality between cohorts and no adverse events attributed to ASCS were reported.ConclusionsASCS treatment reduced the number of AG procedures needed to achieve closure, benefiting patients and offering burn centers reduced complexity and cost in the patient care pathway. While LOS was not significantly reduced in this study as seen in other reports, this finding may be confounded due to potential differences in the patient cohorts relative comorbidities and polytrauma, as well as variability in clinical site inpatient/outpatient management strategies for OT/PT.

61 A Burn Center’s Experience with COVID-19 Positive Burn Patients

IntroductionThe emergence of SARS-COV-2 and the COVID-19 pandemic has complicated the presentation, treatment, and prognosis of all types of patients. Further characterization and analysis of how concomitant COVID-19 infection impacts different patient populations is important for improving treatment strategies. Patients with burn injures often require ICU-level care, mechanical ventilation, and extensive surgical intervention. Concomitant COVID-19 infection in this population presents a new challenge to clinical teams. The purpose of this project is to compare COVID-19 positive burn patients treated at a regional burn center with those that are not.MethodsFollowing IRB approval, our institution’s burn registry was queried from March 2020-June 2021. Data on demographics, injury circumstances, COVID-19 status, and outcomes were collected. Continuous variables were nonparametric and\\compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Categorical variables were compared using Chi-squared with Fischer’s Exact test, where appropriate.ResultsOf the 622 patients admitted at our institution, 19 tested positive for COVID-19 during their hospitalization. Demographic and injury information is reported in Table 1. There were statistically significant differences between the COVID-19 positive and negative groups in regard to race and presence of inhalation injury (p=0.0002, p=0.0002). The TBSA burned was slightly higher in the COVID-19 positive group (9.1 vs 6.7%). COVID-19 positive patients spent more time ventilated (48±32.5 vs.12.2 ± 16.2 days, p=0.0035**) and had both longer ICU (42.71±37.41 vs 11.1±15.4 days, p=0.0175*) and hospital (26.32±32.14 vs 8.177±11.95 days, p< 0.0001***) lengths of stay (LOS). No COVID-19 positive patients died while 5% of the COVID-19 negative patients did. All outcomes were statistically significant.ConclusionsDespite similar TBSA injury burden and age breakdown, patients at our institution who tested positive for COVID-19 required more time on the ventilator and were hospitalized longer. People of color had a higher percentage of positive tests than their Caucasian counterparts. While mortality rates were higher in the COVID-19 negative cohort, morbidities associated with longer LOS must be considered.

Early Transcriptomic Response to Burn Injury: Severe Burns Are Associated With Immune Pathway Shutdown.

Burn injury induces a systemic hyperinflammatory response with detrimental side effects. Studies have described the biochemical changes induced by severe burns, but the transcriptome response is not well characterized. The goal of this work is to characterize the blood transcriptome after burn injury. Burn patients presenting to a regional center between 2012 and 2017 were prospectively enrolled. Blood was collected on admission and at predetermined time points (hours 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24). RNA was isolated and transcript levels were measured with a gene expression microarray. To identify differentially regulated genes (false-discovery rate ≤0.1) by burn injury severity, patients were grouped by TBSA above or below 20% and statistically enriched pathways were identified. Sixty-eight patients were analyzed, most patients were male with a median age of 41 (interquartile range, 30.5-58.5) years, and TBSA of 20% (11%-34%). Thirty-five patients had % TBSA injury ≥20%, and this group experienced greater mortality (26% vs 3%, P = .008). Comparative analysis of genes from patients with </≥20% TBSA revealed 1505, 613, 380, 63, 1357, and 954 differentially expressed genes at hours 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24, respectively. Pathway analysis revealed an initial up-regulation in several immune/inflammatory pathways within the ≥20% TBSA groups followed by shutdown. Severe burn injury is associated with an early proinflammatory immune response followed by shutdown of these pathways. Examination of the immunoinflammatory response to burn injury through differential gene regulation and associated immune pathways by injury severity may identify mechanistic targets for future intervention.

557 Amniotic Fluid Injections in Chronic Non-Healing Wounds in Pediatric Patients: A Case Series

Abstract Introduction Amniotic tissues are used to support wound healing in a variety of fields and wound types including chronic stasis ulcers, lower extremity wounds in diabetic patients, poorly healing injuries associated with burns, and surgical wounds associated with intestinal fistulas. To date, the use of amniotic fluid (AF) alone has not been described in the literature. The properties of AF alone would suggest the potential for regenerative and accelerated healing. This descriptive, retrospective review evaluates the effects of AF injected into chronic, poorly healing burn wounds. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review across five years and identified a total of 39 pediatric patients with chronic, poorly healing burn wounds, nine of whom were treated with AF injections. Five of these patients were excluded due to incomplete post-treatment data. All patients were managed in the ambulatory care setting. We evaluated Vancouver Burn Scar Scale (VBSS) and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) scores as well as pre- and post-treatment photos of the wounds. Results Four patients aged 1–16 years met inclusion criteria with TBSA ranging from 1% to 57.5%. All patients tolerated the procedure well and none suffered adverse events associated with treatment. The average time from injury to treatment with AF was 14 months. Patient A is a 1-year-old male with bilateral posterior thigh wounds that remained open following skin grafting of a 57.5% TBSA injury who received injection of AF 5 months after injury. One month after treatment with AF injections, both posterior thigh wounds were closed (Figure 1). Patient B is a 9-year-old male with posterior thigh wounds that remained open following grafting of an 8% TBSA injury who received an injection of AF 10 months after injury. Following injections with AF the wounds closed over a period of 6 months (Figure 1). Patient C is a 10-year-old female with extensive contracture scarring across the upper torso, bilateral axilla and neck from a 25% TBSA injury who received an AF injection at 37 months post-injury. Areas of open wound in the axilla closed following a combination of laser treatment to scar areas and AF injections. Patient D is a 16-year-old female with 1% TBSA injury to the posterior thigh treated with split thickness skin grafting that failed to close. Following injection with AF four months after injury, the wound closed over a period of 3 months (Figure 1). VBSS scores and POSAS scores did not significantly correlate with wound healing observed. Conclusions Injection of amniotic fluid is a low-risk treatment adjunct that can be used to improve chronic burn wounds.

124 Autologous Skin Cell Suspension Achieves Closure of Donor Site Wounds Facilitating Early Re-harvesting for Large TBSA burn Injuries

Abstract Introduction Management of extensive burn injuries is complicated often resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Current standard of care includes use of split-thickness skin grafts (STSG) to obtain definitive closure; however, this treatment is often limited by donor site availability, which requires repeated re-harvesting of donor sites to obtain definitive closure in large total body surface area injuries. Additionally, this limitation often leads to increased risk of infection, hypertrophic scarring, and extended hospital length of stay. Autologous skin cell suspension (ASCS) prepared using the autologous cell harvesting device is an FDA approved point-of-care regenerative medicine technology that significantly reduces donor skin requirements to achieve definitive closure in acute thermal burn injuries across small and large burns. A prospective uncontrolled observational study (IDE 15945—NCT02992249) was conducted in which patients with life-threatening burn injuries were treated with ASCS. In this study, clinical outcomes were evaluated when ASCS was used in combination with wide meshed autografts for burn site treatment. Within the study, a subset of donor sites was also treated with ASCS and the purpose of the current work was to evaluate the clinical outcomes obtained to better understand impact on healing times and effect of re-harvesting in this compromised patient population. Methods ASCS was applied to the donor site after harvesting of split-thickness skin grafts. Clinical outcomes out to one year were evaluated, including the percentage of re-epithelialization, long-term cosmetic outcomes, and adverse events. Results Subjects (n=96) from 22 burn centers received ASCS as part of their donor site treatment regimen (n=528). Mean subject baseline demographics were: 30.2 years of age, 54.0 ± 17.4% TBSA injury, and 89.4 ± 32.9 Baux score with 37% of subjects having a score greater than 100. Percentage of donor sites healed, defined as &amp;gt;95% re-epithelialization, was 37.1% and 82.7% after week 1 and week 2, respectively. Approximately 20% of the donor sites treated with ASCS were re-harvested multiple times following initial healing (up to four times). Of these donor sites 39.3% (n=84), 81.0% (n=79), and 85.7% (n=77) were healed by week 1, week 2, and week 4, respectively. Scar assessments conducted on 427 donor sites after one year showed the majority had matched or mildly mismatched color, pigment, and texture. Safety analyses of adverse events (AEs) following ASCS treatment were unlikely or unrelated to the device. Conclusions This study demonstrates successful use of ASCS to achieve closure of donor site wounds in patients with extensive burn injuries.

14 Use of Airway Pressure Relief Ventilation (APRV) in Burn Patients With and Without Inhalation Injury

Abstract Introduction Burn patients often require ventilator management because of large % TBSA injury, the presence of inhalation injury, and/or other factors. Airway pressure relief ventilation (APRV) offers several advantages over conventional ventilation modes including improved alveolar recruitment, better oxygenation and hemodynamics, preservation of spontaneous breathing, and possibly less ventilator-induced lung injury. This study reviews the use of APRV as the primary ventilator mode in burn patients with and without inhalation injury. Methods A retrospective chart review of patients admitted to the burn center and requiring APRV ventilation over a ten-year period was performed. Data collected included demographic data, burn injury data, ventilator settings, arterial blood gas data, and development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Results There were 411 patients identified over the ten-year period. Mean age was 46 years, and mean % TBSA burned was 33. Seventy-three percent were male. One-half (51%) of patients had an inhalation injury. Mean hospital length of stay was 32 days with 22 mean ventilator days. Average number of surgeries was 4.4 per patient. Mean high pressure (P high) was 23 mm Hg. Mean FiO2 was 88% on post-injury day (PID) 1, 65% on day PID 2, and 45% thereafter. Mean P/F ratio was 333. Mean pH was 7.40, mean pCO2 was 40 mmHg, and mean HCO3 was 25 mm Hg. Forty-six percent of patients met criteria for diagnosis of VAP. Conclusions These data demonstrate that burn patients requiring mechanical ventilation can be safely and effectively managed with APRV. Oxygenation, carbon dioxide removal, normal acid-base status, and excellent P/F ratios were maintained with relatively low ventilator settings such as peak airway pressure and FiO2. Patients were able to breathe spontaneously when able and were easily liberated form the ventilator at the appropriate time.

103 A Retrospective Review of the Utilization of Burn Admission Criteria

Abstract Introduction Evidence-based criteria for burn patient admission are poorly defined. Attempts have been made by commercial entities to align payors and providers with evidence-based admission criteria to optimize resource use. However, these admission criteria have not be examined critically to see if they are appropriate and effective. We developed an admission criteria algorithm based on these existing standards and have utilized it for nearly 18 months. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively review this algorithm with respect to inpatient needs and outcome to assess its effectiveness. Methods A retrospective chart review of patients admitted the burn center over a 1-year period was performed. Incomplete datasets were excluded. Patients were grouped by TBSA, &amp;lt; 10%, 10–20% and &amp;gt; 20%. Appropriateness of admission was measured used length of stay (LOS) as surrogate marker, hospitalizations of &amp;lt; 3 days, unless deceased, were deemed inappropriate (IAP) and 3 days or more as appropriate (AP). Results There were complete datasets for 530 patients, &amp;lt; 10% (n=423), 10–20% (n= 72), &amp;gt;20% (n=35). There were no significant differences in age, gender, or payor sources between the groups. Patients with larger TBSA burns were more likely to have suffered a flame/flash injury. All patients in the two larger TBSA groups met admission criteria per algorithm. All IAP were in the &amp;lt; 10% group. When compared to AP, IAP were younger, 31.6 vs. 44.0 years (p&amp;lt; .0001), had smaller TBSA injuries 2.8% vs. 3.5% (p=.0045), had fewer clinical findings 1.4 vs 1.8 (p&amp;lt; .0001), fewer interventions 1.8 vs 2.6 (p&amp;lt; .0001) but were more likely to have suffered burns to the head 30% vs 13% (&amp;lt; .00001) and neck 9% vs 3% (=.0164). AP patients were more likely to have suffered contact burns 27% vs. 17% (p=.0323), full-thickness injuries 39% vs 14% (p&amp;lt; .0001), involvement of a major joint 42% vs 29% (p=.0085), combined burn and trauma 3% vs. 0% (p=.0444) and burns to the buttocks 7% vs 2% (p=.0357). AP patients were also more likely to require IV analgesia 82% vs 71% (p=.0107) and evaluated as likely needing surgery 82% vs 15% (p&amp;lt; .00001). Conclusions The admission criteria algorithm performed perfectly in patients with a ≥ 10% TBSA injury. For patients with burn &amp;lt; 10% TBSA the algorithm was not followed as closely leading to some inappropriate admissions. Patients with smaller burns admitted appropriately were more likely to have full thickness burns, contact burns, burns over joints and to require surgery. The algorithm was highly accurate in patients with large burns, however additional refinement is needed for those patients with smaller burn injuries.

126 Early Transcriptomic Response to Burn injury: Prolonged Inflammatory Response is Associated with Mortality

Abstract Introduction Burn injuries are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Burn care has improved significantly in the last few decades with emphasis on early surgical management, improvements in local wound care, and specialized critical care. While survival rates are improving, mortality remains high in certain patient populations, including those with larger burns. Burn injury induces a systemic hyperinflammatory response with detrimental side effects. Prior studies have offered early insights into the biochemical changes that occur after severe burn injury. The underlying cellular response is still largely unknown. The goal of this work is to characterize the blood transcriptome of severe burn injury and compare this response between patients who live or subsequently die of their injuries. Methods Burn patients presenting to a regional center between 2012–2017 were prospectively enrolled. Blood was collected on admission and at predetermined timepoints (Hours 2, 4, 8, 12, 24) over the first 24 hours. mRNA was isolated and a transcriptomic microarray was used to measure global transcript levels over time. To identify differentially regulated genes (FDR≤0.1) by injury severity, patients were grouped by burn size (TBSA &amp;gt;20%) and mortality. Microarray data was analyzed using bioinformatics software and pathway analysis. Descriptive statistics were generated with Mann-Whitney, Chi-Square, and Fisher’s exact test as appropriate. Results Sixty-eight patients were included in this analysis, most patients were male with a median age of 41 (IQR, 30.5–58.5) years, and TBSA of 20% (IQR, 11–34%). Thirty-five patients suffered %TBSA injury &amp;gt;20%, and this group experienced greater mortality (26% vs. 3%, p=0.008). There were no significant differences in age, race, or gender. Comparative analysis of genes from patients with &amp;lt; /&amp;gt;20% TBSA revealed 1250, 444, 209, 20, 865, and 557 differentially regulated genes at hours 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 respectively. Pathway analysis reveals an initial upregulation in several immune/inflammatory pathways within the &amp;gt;20% TBSA groups between hours 0–2 followed by shutdown between hours 12–24. Immune pathways include Th17 activation pathway and natural killer cell signaling, inflammatory pathways include EIF2 signaling. These pathways remain upregulated in the group of patients with &amp;gt;20% TBSA who died. Conclusions Severe burn injury is associated with an early proinflammatory immune response followed by shutdown of these pathways. Burn patients who die show continued upregulation in the first 24 hours after injury in several proinflammatory pathways compared to those who live.

710 Use of Airway Pressure Relief Ventilation (APRV) in Burn Patients with and Without Inhalation Injury

Abstract Introduction Burn patients often require ventilator management because of large % TBSA injury, the presence of inhalation injury, and/or other factors. Airway pressure relief ventilation (APRV) offers several advantages over conventional ventilation modes including improved alveolar recruitment, better oxygenation and hemodynamics, preservation of spontaneous breathing, and possibly less ventilator-induced lung injury. This study reviews the use of APRV as the primary ventilator mode in burn patients with and without inhalation injury. Methods A retrospective chart review of patients admitted to the burn center and requiring APRV ventilation over a ten year period was performed. Data collected included demographic data, burn injury data, ventilator settings, arterial blood gas data, and development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Results There were 411 patients identified over the ten year period. Mean age was 46 years, and mean % TBSA burned was 33. Seventy-three percent were male. One-half (51%) of patients had an inhalation injury. Mean hospital length of stay was 32 days with 22 mean ventilator days. Average number of surgeries was 4.4 per patient. Mean high pressure (P high) was 23 mm Hg. Mean FiO2 was 88% on post-injury day (PID) 1, 65% on day PID 2, and 45% thereafter. Mean P/F ratio was 333. Mean pH was 7.40, mean pCO2 was 40 mmHg, and mean HCO3 was 25 mm Hg. Forty-six percent of patients met criteria for diagnosis of VAP. Conclusions These data demonstrate that burn patients requiring mechanical ventilation can be safely and effectively managed with APRV. Oxygenation, carbon dioxide removal, normal acid-base status, and excellent P/F ratios were maintained with relatively low ventilator settings such as peak airway pressure and FiO2. Patients were able to breathe spontaneously when able and were easily liberated form the ventilator at the appropriate time. Applicability of Research to Practice This study defines an unconventional and potentially improved ventilator mode use in burn patients.

792 A Retrospective Review of the Utilization of Burn Admission Criteria

Abstract Introduction Evidence-based criteria for burn patient admission are poorly defined. Attempts have been made by commercial entities to align payors and providers with evidence-based admission criteria to optimize resource use. However, these admission criteria have not be examined critically to see if they are appropriate and effective. We developed an admission criteria algorithm based on these existing standards and have utilized it for nearly 18 months. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively review this algorithm with respect to inpatient needs and outcome to assess its effectiveness. Methods A retrospective chart review of patients admitted the burn center over a 1 year period was performed. Incomplete datasets were excluded. Patients were grouped by TBSA, &amp;lt; 10%, 10–20% and &amp;gt; 20%. Appropriateness of admission was measured used length of stay (LOS) as surrogate marker, hospitalizations of &amp;lt; 3 days, unless deceased, were deemed inappropriate (IAP) and 3 days or more as appropriate (AP) Results There were complete datasets for 530 patients, &amp;lt; 10% (n=423), 10–20% (n= 72), &amp;gt;20% (n=35). There were no significant differences in age, gender, or payor sources between the groups. Patients with larger TBSA burns were more likely to have suffered a flame/flash injury. All patients in the two larger TBSA groups met admission criteria per algorithm. All IAP were in the &amp;lt; 10% group. When compared to AP, IAP were younger, 31.6 vs. 44.0 years (p&amp;lt; .0001), had smaller TBSA injuries 2.8% vs. 3.5% (p=.0045), had fewer clinical findings 1.4 vs 1.8 (p&amp;lt; .0001), fewer interventions 1.8 vs 2.6 (p&amp;lt; .0001) but were more likely to have suffered burns to the head 30% vs 13% (&amp;lt; .00001) and neck 9% vs 3% (=.0164). AP patients were more likely to have suffered contact burns 27% vs. 17% (p=.0323), full-thickness injuries 39% vs 14% (p&amp;lt; .0001), involvement of a major joint 42% vs 29% (p=.0085), combined burn and trauma 3% vs. 0% (p=.0444) and burns to the buttocks 7% vs 2% (p=.0357). AP patients were also more likely to require IV analgesia 82% vs 71% (p=.0107) and evaluated as likely needing surgery 82% vs 15% (p&amp;lt; .00001). Conclusions The admission criteria algorithm performed perfectly in patients with a ≥ 10% TBSA injury. For patients with burn &amp;lt; 10% TBSA the algorithm was not followed as closely leading to some inappropriate admissions. Patients with smaller burns admitted appropriately were more likely to have full thickness burns, contact burns, burns over joints and to require surgery. The algorithm was highly accurate in patients with large burns, however additional refinement is needed for those patients with smaller burn injuries. Applicability of Research to Practice This study helps to define appropriateness of inpatient care following burn injury.

637 Disparities in Discharge Disposition: A Burn Model Systems National Database Study

Abstract Introduction Previous data suggest that disparities exist in access to inpatient rehabilitation following burn injury. We aimed to characterize the association between patient race/ethnicity and discharge disposition across multiple centers. Methods Data were derived from the prospectively maintained Burn Model Systems national database. All participants admitted to one of five participating centers between 1994 and 2019, who survived to discharge with a known disposition, were included. The relationship between patient characteristics, injury factors and discharge to home, a skilled nursing facility (SNF), or inpatient rehabilitation was modeled using multinomial generalized estimating equations. Pre-specified stratified analyses were conducted to examine effect modification. Results We identified 4395 participants who met inclusion criteria. Participants were 74% White non-Hispanic (n=3269), 18% Black non-Hispanic (n=812), 3% Hispanic (n=122), 0.5% Asian (n=24), and 4% Other (n=168). Most were aged 18–64 years (68%, n=2998). Overall, 79% (n=3585) of participants were discharged home, 12% to inpatient rehabilitation (n=534), and 6% to SNF (n=276). After adjustment for patient characteristics and injury factors, there were no differences in discharge destination by race/ethnicity. However, subgroup analyses demonstrated effect modification by both center and burn size. At 2 centers, Black participants were significantly more likely to be discharged to SNF or inpatient rehabilitation (Center 1 OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.02–3.85; Center 2 OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.07–5.19). Similarly, among all participants with &amp;gt;20% TBSA, Black participants were more likely to be discharged to SNF or inpatient rehabilitation (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.06–1.81). Across all groups, having insurance was associated with discharge to SNF or inpatient rehabilitation (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.21–2.33). Conclusions Although no overall difference in discharge destination by race was identified, stratified analyses indicate disparities in discharge disposition at the patient and system level. At specific centers, and among those with &amp;gt;20% TBSA injury, Black participants are more likely to be discharged to SNF and inpatient rehabilitation than other ethnic groups. Applicability of Research to Practice Both patient and system level factors are associated with discharge to higher levels of post-discharge care, suggesting that further characterization of these factors is warranted. Such data can inform interventions and policy changes aimed at ensuring equitable access to appropriate post-discharge care.

96 Treatment of Donor Sites in Large TBSA Burn Injuries with an Autologous Skin Cell Suspension Supports Early Reharvesting

Abstract Introduction Treatment of large TBSA burn injuries is often limited by donor site availability and requires reharvesting to obtain definitive closure. Patients with severe injuries may have delayed closure compared to uncompromised patients that typically have their donor sites healed in 7–14 days. Autologous skin cell suspension (ASCS) can be prepared to treat burn wounds at the point-of-care. The safety and effectiveness have not yet been established for use in the treatment of donor sites. This study presents the use of ASCS for the treatment of donor sites in patients with life-threatening burn injuries that were enrolled in a prospective uncontrolled observational study (IDE 15945—NCT02992249). Methods ASCS was applied to the donor site after harvesting of STSGs. Clinical outcomes out to one year were evaluated including percentage of re-epithelialization, long-term cosmetic outcomes, and adverse events. Results Ninety-six subjects from 22 burn centers had their donor sites treated with ASCS as part of their treatment regimen. The average subject age was 30.1 and the average TBSA injury was 53.7 ±17.3%. The mean Baux score was 89.2 with 36% of subjects having a score greater than 100. Collectively, 528 donor sites were individually treated. In this compromised patient population 37.5% were ≥95% re-epithelialized by week 1 (n=435), and by week 2, 82.7% of the donor sites were ≥95% re-epithelialized (n=434), regardless of how many times they were harvested. Approximately 19% of the donor sites treated with ACSC were reharvested multiple times following initial healing (15% two times, 2.3% three times, and 7 donor sites were harvested 4 times) and retreated. Of donor sites harvested more than once, 39.3% (n=84), 81% (n=79), and 85.7% (n=77) of sites were ≥ 95% re-epithelialized by week 1, 2 and 4, respectively. One-year data was available for 427 donor sites and the majority had matched or mildly mismatched color, pigment, and texture. Adverse events included one site with a hematoma, one patient with donor sites that had fragile skin loss secondary to traumatic friction, one patient with active bleeding, two patients with anemia secondary to donor site bleeding, one patient with delayed closure due to mild infection of staph species. All AEs were unlikely or unrelated to the device. Conclusions ASCS has been successfully used to achieve closure of donor site wounds without significant safety risk in patients with extensive burn injuries. Applicability of Research to Practice Application of ASCS for donor site healing may be particularly relevant for patients with large burn injuries requiring subsequent reharvesting to achieve definitive closure.

Exercise Core Temperature Response with a Simulated Burn Injury: Effect of Body Size.

Using a simulated burn injury model to mimic the detrimental effect of a 40% TBSA injury on whole-body evaporative heat dissipation, core temperature response to exercise in physiologically uncompensable conditions between morphologically disparate groups were examined at (i) an absolute Hprod (W), and (ii) a mass-specific Hprod (W·kg). Healthy, young, nonburned individuals of small (SM, n = 11) or large (LG, n = 11) body size cycled for 60 min at 500 W or 5.3 W·kg of Hprod in 39°C and 20% relative humidity conditions. A 40% burn injury was simulated by affixing a highly absorbent, vapor-impermeable material across the torso (20% TBSA), arms (10% TBSA), and legs (10% TBSA) to impede evaporative heat loss in those regions. Although the elevation in core temperature was greater in SM compared with LG at an Hprod of 500 W (SM, 1.69°C ± 0.26°C; LG, 1.05°C ± 0.26°C; P < 0.01), elevations in core temperature were not different at an Hprod of 5.3 W·kg between groups (SM, 0.99°C ± 0.32°C; LG, 1.05°C ± 0.26°C; P = 0.66). These data suggest that among individuals with a 40% TBSA burn injury, a smaller body size leads to exacerbated elevations in core temperature during physical activities eliciting the same absolute Hprod (non-weight-bearing tasks) but not activities eliciting the same mass-specific Hprod (weight-bearing tasks).

498 Healing of Donor Sites with an Autologous Skin Cell Suspension for Large TBSA Burn Injuries: A Prospective Evaluation

Current treatment for burn injuries is the use of split-thickness skin grafts (STSG), however this treatment is often limited by donor site availability and requires reharvesting of donor sites to obtain definitive closure. In uncompromised patients it can take 7-14 days to heal, and for patients with severe injuries, this time can be delayed. The RECELL® System is a point-of-care device that allows for the preparation and application of non-cultured, autologous skin cells; however the safety and effectiveness has not been established for use in the treatment of donor sites. This study presents the use of autologous skin cell suspension (ASCS), prepared using the RECELL® System for the treatment of donor sites in patients enrolled in a prospective uncontrolled observational study (IDE 15945—NCT02992249) with life-threatening burn injuries. Following harvesting of STSGs, ASCS was applied to the donor site. Clinical outcomes were evaluated up to one year including percentage of re-epithelialization, long-term cosmetic outcomes, and adverse events. Seventy-three patients from 15 burn centers had their donor sites treated with ASCS as part of their treatment regimen. The average subject age was 29 and the average TBSA injury was 54.1 ±16.5%. The mean Baux score was 84.3 with 32% of subjects having a score greater than 100. Collectively, 430 donor sites were individually treated. In this compromised patient population 45.5% were ≥95% re-epithelialized by week 1 (n=345), and by week 2, 91% of the donor sites were ≥95% re-epithelialized (n=277), regardless of times harvested. Approximately 20% of the donor sites treated with ACSC were reharvested multiple times following initial healing (3.5% three times, and two donor sites were harvested four times) and retreated. Of donor sites harvested more than once, 51.6% (n=62), 84.6% (n=66), and 96.4% (n=55) of sites were ≥ 95% re-epithelialized by week 1, 2 and 4, respectively. One-year data was available for 300 donor sites and the majority had matched or mildly mismatched color, pigment, and texture. Adverse events included one site with a hematoma and one patient with donor sites that had fragile skin loss secondary to traumatic friction. There were no other instances of infection or delayed healing. ASCS has been successfully used to achieve closure of donor site wounds without infection or delayed healing in patients with extensive burn injuries. Application of ASCS for donor site healing may be particularly applicable for patients requiring subsequent reharvesting to achieve definitive closure.

117 Care of the Thermally Injured Breast

Introduction: Thermal injury to the female breast is one of the most challenging aspects of aesthetic burn surgery today. As the ability to provide coverage for large body surface injuries has progressed greatly in recent years; attention can now be directed towards achieving aesthetically pleasing results. Breast reconstruction in the burn patient can be accomplished in several ways. In planning the reconstruction, one must account for gender, age, and stage of breast development at the time of injury. The following is the treatment protocol utilized at our institution. After determining the level of injury the injured area is cleansed and treated with topical anti‐microbial agents such as Silvadene. If the decision is made to excise and graft the injured area one of two algorithms is followed. The first choice involves excising the burn and placing a split thickness skin graft to the area involved. This is done by placing a sheet graft and using aerosolized fibrin sealant to affix it to the wound bed. If the burn involves deeper elements of tissue then a second approach is taken which includes excision of the burn down to the level of fascia with preservation of the breast mounds and the nipple areola complex (NAR). The (NAR) is spared excision and allowed to heal. Reconstruction of the (NAR) can be deferred for a secondary procedure depending upon the response to primary healing. A split thickness skin graft is then applied to the area of injury. Again a sheet graft is preferred and fibrin sealant is utilized to improve graft fixation and contour. We attribute our excellent results to the sheet grafts and fibrin sealant used. It should be noted that the increased vascularity of the breast fat when compared to fat located elsewhere in the body allows the grafts to adhere and survive on this generally difficult to graft surface. Methods: We identified five female patients at our institution over the last 18 months with thermal injuries to the breasts. Each patient was placed into one of the two treatment algorithms. Results: The five patients had excellent outcomes. Breast mounds and symmetry were preserved. Further development of the breast was allowed in each patient. One patient even underwent a breast augmentation after surviving a 50% TBSA injury. Proper use of fibrin sealant and sheet grafts account for the excellent results seen at this institution. Conclusion: Following careful evaluation of the burned female breast cosmetically and functionally acceptable results can be attained when following our institution’s protocol for breast reconstruction in the female burn victim.

Self-Reported Quality of Life After Electrical and Thermal Injury

Electrical injury patients (EI) often require more procedures and longer hospital stays than their thermal injury counterparts. We hypothesized that postinjury quality of life might be better in thermal injury patients (TIs) than in EI. Each EI recorded in our institution's TRACS trade mark /ABA registry between 1995 and 2000 was matched with a TI for age and TBSA involvement. We compared SF-36 scores of EI and TIs to evaluate quality of life. Age and TBSA injury were similar between groups. SF-36 results demonstrated no significant differences in self-reported quality of life indices. Return to full-time employment did not differ significantly between groups. EI and TIs do not differ significantly in quality of life after their burn injuries. Self-evaluated function for EI and TIs is comparable. Quality of life in both EI and TIs are above population means on many dimensions.