Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Burn Patients with COVID-19 Infection Managed in the Philippine General Hospital
Mikhail Amante1, Gerald Marion Abesamis1, Maria Adela Nable-Aguilera1, Jose Joven Cruz1, Glenn Angelo Genuino1, Gene Tiongco1, 1Division of Burns, Department of Surgery, Philippine General Hospital , Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Abstract
The management of burn patients during the COVID-19 pandemic remains to be a challenge. It is postulated that COVID-19 infection may amplify the hyperinflammatory and hypercoagulable state of patients with burn injuries increasing the risk of complications and mortality.1 This study aimed to describe the clinical profile and outcomes of patients with burn injury and COVID-19 infection managed at a tertiary hospital in the Philippines. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 45 patients with burn injuries and concomitant COVID-19 admitted at a burn unit in the Philippine General Hospital. Data were collected from June 2020 to June 2022. Among those admitted, mean age was 28 years old, 84% were male, 80% had no comorbidities, and 69% were unvaccinated. Majority (76%) had no presenting symptoms of COVID-19. The most common cause of burn injury was flame burn (42%), with a mean total body surface area of 25%. Eighteen patients required excision and skin grafting for deep burn injuries. Mean time from admission to first escharectomy was 13 days and mean time to engraftment was 23 days. The mean length of stay in the hospital was 25 days. In-patient hospital mortality was 20%.
Early in the pandemic, burn patients with COVID-19 experienced prolonged hospital stay and delay in surgery. Strict isolation protocols and risk of perioperative complications may have contributed to these findings. Further studies are warranted to provide guidelines in the surgical management of burn patients with COVID-19 infection.
1. Al-Benna S. Inflammatory and coagulative pathophysiology for the management of burn patients with covid-19: Systematic review of the evidence. Ann Burns Fire Disasters. 2021;34(1):3-9.
Biography
Dr. Mikhail Amante is currently a senior clinical fellow of the Division of Burns and the Division of Plastic Surgery in the Philippine General Hospital. He finished his medical school in the University of the Philippines Manila.