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METHODS The distribution of the patients in the Group H and
Group C cohorts as per the cause of burns was statistically
A total of 326 patients with burns injuries were admitted not significant (P = 0.176) and is depicted in Figure 1.
to Government Wenlock Hospital, Mangalore, between The stratification of patients according to the extent of
December 2005 and January 2007. The first consecutive the thermal injury has been depicted in Table 4.
60 patients with 10-60% second degree burns between
the ages of 10 and 60 were enrolled in the study. Patients The division of burn patients in Groups H and C with
with liver disease, renal disorders, a blood-coagulating respect to their duration of stay in the hospital revealed
diathesis, an allergy to heparin, an active peptic ulcer, an earlier discharge from the hospital in Group H,
thrombocytopenia, active bleeding or potential bleeding except in cases of extensive burns of more than 50%
from trauma were excluded. Patients who met the BSA [Table 5]. The mean duration of hospital stay was
inclusion criteria were randomly assigned a control significantly less in the Group H compared the Group C,
group (Group C) or heparin group (Group H). Thirty in 10-20% burns (13 vs. 26 days), 20-30% burns (23 vs.
patients were started on topical heparin (Group H), while 41 days), and 30-40% burns (26 vs. 67 days). A shorter
the other 30 patients in the control group (Group C) hospital stay has many positive ramifications in an Indian
were treated with conventional dressings with silver family, in addition to the reduced economic burden of
sulfadiazine, intravenous antibiotics, analgesics and treatment.
intravenous fluids. Patients in Group C were prone to numerous complications

The dose of heparin required for topical application was as compared to Group H. The occurrence of these
calculated to be 100,000 IU/15% burn surface area (BSA) complications as depicted in Table 6 was highly statistically
per day in 3-4 divided doses. The medication was applied
to the burnt surface drop by drop with a 50 mL syringe, Table 1: Age distribution of the patients under evaluation
until the pain was relieved, repeated for 2-4 times until Age group (years) Number of patients
blanching occurred. Beginning on the 2nd day, heparin
was applied twice a day, using a diminishing quantity for Group H Group C
1 week. 10-20 6 6
21-30 6 8
Blisters were rinsed with heparin solution via hypodermic 31-40 11 8
syringe and were not de-roofed. Blood was drawn to 41-50 4 3
test for bleeding time, clotting time, and activated 51-60 3 5
partial thromboplastin time, in addition to routine blood Total 30 30
investigations.

Relief of pain as recorded by a visual analog scale, healing Table 2: Distribution of patients according to gender
of wounds, dose of heparin, complications, mortality and Gender Number of patients
duration of hospital stay were reported and analyzed.
This was a single-blinded study that was approved by Group H Group C
the Ethics Committee of the Institute. Written informed Male 15 8
consent was obtained from the patients or guardians. Female 15 22

RESULTS
Table 3: Cause of burns

Among the 60 patients enrolled in the study, the age Cause of burns Number of patients
distribution between the two groups was not significantly Male Female
different [Table 1]. The majority of the patients admitted Accidental 18 15
were in the economically productive age group of Homicidal 4 17
31-40 years old (19 patients, 31%). Suicidal 1 5
There were equal numbers of male and female patients in Total 23 37
Group H. The gender distribution among the two groups
was not statistically significant [Table 2].
Table 4: Number of patients according to extent of
The study showed a statistically significant (P = 0.017) thermal injury
difference in the cause of burns between males and Percentage of burns Number of patients
females. Accidental burns were seen in 33 patients (%)
as compared to 21 patients with homicidal intent, Group H Group C
and 6 patients with suicidal aim. Males (18 patients) 10-20 8 10
figured predominantly in the accidental group, 21-30 10 5
whereas females were significantly more represented 31-40 9 7
in the homicidal (17 patients) and suicidal (5 patients) 41-50 0 4
subgroups [Table 3]. 51-60 3 4

112 Plast Aesthet Res || Vol 2 || Issue 3 || May 15, 2015