FEMALE BREAST BURNS - CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT WITH A RECONSTRUCTIVE AIM

We retrospectively reviewed 421 burn patients treated in our burn unit in the past 3 years, focusing on breast burns in female patients. The aim df our study was to review the epidemiology, establish the mechan ism of breast burn occurence, and review the treatment plan. We evalua ted 138 female burn patients, 38 (9%) of whom had non-isolated breast bums. In this group 25 burns (66%) were caused by scalds and 13 (34%) by fire. Scalds were responsible for first- to second-degree bums (50% ), and cooking oil and fire for second- to third-degree burns (50%). A statistically significant difference was noted in the incidence of br east burns, which occurred mainly in late summer and fall (P = 0.03). There was a direct correlation between burn depth and duration of hosp italization, with average hospitalization time of 1.45 days for each p ercent of bum. Most breast bums were domestic, with children constitut ing the majority of the victims. Most breast burn patients were treate d conservatively. Breast deformity on recovery varied in severity from minor deformity correctable with simple breast reduction surgery in o lder patients to severe deformity requiring further reconstructive sur gery in infants.