Does irrigation with 20 minutes of cool running water reduce the need for skin grafts in children with burns?

BEEM Bottom Line

Why is this study important?

Current guidelines for the management of acute thermal burns include recommendations for irrigation with cool running water for variable duration of time ranging from 5 to > 20 minutes (mins.).[1] [2] The evidence for cool running water comes mainly from animal and adult human studies. As children have smaller body surface area (BSA) ratios, skin thickness, and volumes compared to adults, this prospective database study attempts to determine whether children with acute burns also benefit from cool running water for 20 mins. within 3 hours of a burn injury.[3] [4]

Which, if any, threats to validity are most likely to have an impact on the results and how?

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