Pediatric Burns Debridement Under Sedoanalgesia During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cost-Effective Alternative

Abstract

Early debridement of childhood burns under sedoanalgesia in the emergency department (ED) may help to reduce the need of surgery and delay in treatment. We performed a retrospective study in burned children who underwent debridement in the ED under sedoanalgesia between March 2020 and December 2020 (COVID group), and were compared with the same months in 2019 (control group). Demographics, burns features, admission rate, and estimated costs associated were collected. A total of 733 children presented at the ED with burns (302 COVID group and 431 control group) without significant differences in burn features between them. Admission rate was significantly lower in COVID group (9.4% vs 19.4%; P < .001), as was the total associated cost for each group ($101 585 vs $209 656; P < .001). The use of sedoanalgesia for the early treatment of pediatric burns in the ED during COVID-19 pandemic is a cost-effective alternative that has reduced the need for hospital admission and associated costs.