Arch Plast Surg.  2019 Jan;46(1):88-91. 10.5999/aps.2018.00507.

The diathermy scratch pad: A cheap and efficient tool for chemical and explosion-related burns

• Wong AW
• Hong QE
• Hui CL
• Chong SJ

• KMID: 2440428
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5999/aps.2018.00507

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.

Keyword

Burns; Foreign bodies; Explosion; Dermabrasion; Debridement

MeSH Terms

Burn Units
Burns*
Burns, Chemical
Debridement
Dermabrasion
Diathermy*
Explosions
Foreign Bodies
Hospitals, General
Singapore
Wound Healing
Wound Infection