On average, it costs $194 for Srey Leak's treatment
- Symptoms
- Impact on patient's life
- Cultural or regional significance
What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?
The patient will have burns on one or multiple areas of his or her body, which can be both functionally limiting and cosmetically uncomfortable. Burns can become infected and necrotic.
Scars or contractures may form where the individual has been burned. This causes the skin to tighten, making it difficult for the patient to move the affected area. This condition can limit function, especially if the contractures form on the patient's hand.
What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?
Contracture burns are common on young children's hands and feet, and they limit their mobility. As children grow older, they often become uncomfortable about the appearance of the burns.
What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?
Many Cambodian homes use open cooking fires, which increase the risk of accidental burns.
- Process
- Impact on patient's life
- Risks and side-effects
- Accessibility
- Alternatives
What does the treatment process look like?
During a debridement procedure, the burned skin is removed under general anesthesia. If there is any necrotic tissue, it is removed by a sharp dissection and cleaned with antiseptic agents. Once good granulation tissues are seen, the area is covered with a skin graft donated from the upper arm or thigh.
When scars or contractures form (usually within one month after the burn), a z-plasty is needed. Surgeons make a z-shaped incision along the contracture area and release the tightened tissue.
Dressings are applied. Additional post-operative care might involve physiotherapy and pressure garments.
What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?
Patients will experience increased function, reduced pain, and a much lower risk of infection.
What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?
If less than 40% of the body is burned, these burns can be effectively treated through debridement, skin graft, and contracture release treatments. There is a risk of infection, but this can be managed with various forms of daily dressings.
How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?
Skin grafts and other burn treatments are accessible at local clinics and hospitals. However, if patients are poor, they often resort to traditional healers.
What are the alternatives to this treatment?
Traditional medicine is available, but with unsuccessful results.
