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Analysis of a 5-year casuistry in the Burn Unit of Luis Vernaza Hospital, Guayaquil, Ecuador

Abstract:

From 2006 to 2010, 646 patients were treated at the Burn Unit of Luis Vernaza Hospital, Guayaquil, Ecuador. Men were more affected than women (70,7% versus 29,3%). The domestical enviroment was the commonest location where accidents happened. Flame was the most frequent cause (n=233); 85% of patients required surgical management. No differences regarding mean hospital stay were observed when gender and age were analyzed, but it was longer in patients with lesions that affected at least 30% of total body surface (46,9 versus 25,1 days; p<0,05) and among patients with third degree lesions (34,6 versus 20,8 days; p<0,05). According to American Burn Association Criteria, patients with moderate - major burns had a longer hospital stay compared to those in the first category (p<0,05). No differences were observed between patients with moderate or major injuries.