Clinical-epidemiological profile of patients admitted to the Burn Unit of an interregional reference hospital. Puerto Cabello – Venezuela
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61286/e-RPM.2026.417Keywords:
Burns; Burn units; Health profile; Mortality; Venezuela.Abstract
Objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients admitted to the Burn Unit of Dr. Adolfo Prince Lara Hospital in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, during the period January 2020–August 2022. Materials and Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and retrospective study. The sample was non-probabilistic of a census type, consisting of 38 medical records of adult patients aged 19 years and older admitted due to burn trauma during the study period. Results: Male patients (71.1%), the 27-to-59 age group (73.7%), and patients originating from Carabobo State (71.1%) predominated. The thermal mechanism was the most frequent causal agent (68.4%), followed by electrical accidents (28.9%). Clinically, superficial partial-thickness (81.6%) and deep partial-thickness (71.1%) injuries prevailed, with 42.1% of cases presenting a total body surface area (TBSA) burned equal to or greater than 31%. Management required medical treatment in 94.7% and surgical intervention in 76.3% of cases. A prolonged hospital stay of more than 10 days occurred in 47.4% of patients, and 57.9% developed complications, led by skin and soft tissue infections/lesions (23.7%). Medical discharge was achieved in 76.3%, and a mortality rate of 21.1% was recorded. Conclusions: The profile of the burn patient corresponds to working-age males with predominantly thermal injuries characterized by extensive scale and tissue depth. The high demand for surgical resolution, prolonged hospital stays, and a mortality rate exceeding 20% reflect the severity and complexity of the cases managed in this interregional unit.
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