Poster

Presentation Title:

Palmar Scanning: Redefining a Burn Chart for Filipinos

Presenter(s):

Dr. Alvin B. Marcelo, Dr. Eric Arcilla, Dr. Jeanne Azarcon, Prof. Gleen Aduana

University of the Philippines College of Medicine

Abstract

The Philippine health care system, adopted wholly from the Americans, is still very much influenced by foreign standards. One of these is evident in the field of burns management. The basic tenet of the palm of hand rule is that the human palm comprises one percent of the total body surface area (BSA). Using this rule, extent of burns are calculated and then fed into the Parkland's formula. The resulting value guides the surgeon with his fluid management.

This study revelaed that the ratio of the Filipino hand with his total BSA is not one percent, but rather 0.6 percent. Being of smaller and lighter stature, Filipinos do not conform to the current formulation of the one-percent-palm. By using American charts like the Lund-Browder chart, we may have been overestimating extent of burns in our local patients and thus may have been overzealous in our fluid resuscitations contributing to the patient's detriment.

We propose a redefinition of a new burn chart configured specifically for the Filipino population. Using simple scanning techniques, we have been able to do this.

Benefit in Attending Session:

This will be the first exposure of the Philippines in this field. It will benefit our country in gaining more experiences from our more advanced counterparts in terms of technique and strategy.

Web Site:

http://www.intermedonline.com/doctors/cv/amarcelo.htm

PRIMARY AUTHOR'S INFORMATION

Dr. Alvin B. Marcelo

34 K-Square, Sanville

Culiat, Quezon City

Metro Manila

PHILIPPINES 1128

Telephone Number:

(632) 927-8873

Fax Number:

(632) 927-8873

E-mail Address:

intermed@intermed.com.ph

CO-AUTHORS' INFORMATION

Name Co-Author(s):

Dr. Eric Arcilla

Dr. Jeanne Azarcon

Prof. Gleen Aduana

Address(es):

University of the Philippines

COllege of Medicine

Pedro Gil Street

Ermita, Manila

PHILIPPINES 1000

Telephone Number(s):

(632) 526-4170

Fax Number(s):

(632) 526-0371

E-mail Address(es):

deanupcm@epic.net

Dr. Alvin B. Marcelo, Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery, UP College of Medicine

Dr. Jeanne Azarcon, Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery, UP College of MEdicine

Dr. Eric Arcilla, Deaartment of Surgery, PGH

Dr. Lora Mae Aguirre, Department of Surgery, PGH

Prof. Gleen Aduana, Professor, UP College of Engineering