The psychosocial impact of burns and multiple reconstructive surgeries in a burn survivor.

Abstract

Background: Pediatric burn injuries with devastating consequences are common in sub Saharan Africa; however few studies in the sub region have addressed the psychosocial problems in burn survivors. Against a backdrop of limitations in the armamentarium of the burn surgeon and the resources of the patient we investigated the quality of life in a burn survivor. Patient: This is a report on a nine year old boy with multiple post burn sequelae following flame burns in a domestic accident. The quality of life was assessed after multiple staged reconstructive surgeries using the medical outcome short form (36) health survey [SF– 36]. Result: He had a total score of 60%. The lowest scores were in the physical role domain with mild pain interfering with work at home. His scores in all other subscales were above 50%. Conclusion: This report suggests that young burn survivors have the potential to function well after multiple reconstructive surgeries. This has important implications for clinical practice as it will be reassuring and motivating to patients, their families and health professionals in the management of the burn patient.

Keywords: paediatric burn, quality of life, psychosocial.

Nigerian Journal of Plastic Surgery Vol. 4 (2) 2008: pp. 36-41