Intensive care unit-acquired weakness in the burn population. Issue 5 (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cubitt, Jonathan J.; Davies, Menna; Lye, George; Evans, Janine; Combellack, Tom; Dickson, William; Nguyen, Dai Q.
• Is Part Of: Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery. Volume 69:Issue 5(2016:May)
• Page Start: e105
• Page End: e109
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: Burns -- Intensive care-acquired weakness -- Rehabilitation -- Outcome; Surgery, Plastic -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures -- Periodicals; Surgery, Plastic -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 617.9505
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2016.01.033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-6815

Abstract

Summary: Intensive care unit-acquired weakness is an evolving problem in the burn population. As patients are surviving injuries that previously would have been fatal, the focus of treatment is shifting from survival to long-term outcome. The rehabilitation of burn patients can be challenging; however, a certain subgroup of patients have worse outcomes than others. These patients may suffer from intensive care unit-acquired weakness, and their treatment, physiotherapy and expectations need to be adjusted accordingly. This study investigates the condition of intensive care unit-acquired weakness in our burn centre. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all the admissions to our burn centre between 2008 and 2012 and identified 22 patients who suffered from intensive care unit-acquired weakness. These patients were significantly younger with significantly larger burns than those without intensive care unit-acquired weakness. The known risk factors for intensive care unit-acquired weakness are commonplace in the burn population. The recovery of these patients is significantly affected by their weakness.