Archives of Plastic Surgery

Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (대한성형외과학회)
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The diathermy scratch pad: A cheap and efficient tool for chemical and explosion-related burns

  • Wong, Allen Wei-Jiat (Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital) ;
  • Hong, Qi En (Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital) ;
  • Hui, Cheryl Li Yu (Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital) ;
  • Chong, Si Jack (Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Service, Sengkang General Hospital)
  • Received : 2018.05.10
  • Accepted : 2018.10.22
  • Published : 2019.01.15
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Abstract

The burn center in our hospital is a national and regional (Southeast Asia) center. Of all admissions, 10% are related to blast explosions, and 8% due to chemical burns. In the acute burn management protocol of Singapore General Hospital, early surgical debridement is advocated for all acute partial-thickness burns. The aim of early surgical debridement is to remove all debris and unhealthy tissue, preventing wound infection and thereby expediting wound healing. In chemical burns, there can be stubborn eschars that are resistant to traditional debridement. We would like to present a novel technique using the diathermy scratch pad as a cheap and efficient tool for the dual purpose of surgical debridement and dermabrasion.

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References

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