LDI machine helps Edmonton doctors treat burns more efficiently

For the past year, doctors in Edmonton have been using a special machine called an LDI at the burn treatment unit in the University of Alberta Hospital. They believe it's significantly improving patient outcomes. However, they're now expressing the need for a second machine to treat even more patients and provide better care.

Dr. Joshua Wong, a burn and reconstruction surgeon at the hospital, mentioned, "Many burn treatment centers lack a laser Doppler infusion scanner, so we're fortunate to have one here."

Wong explained that the machine assists in assessing the blood flow to a burn. Within seconds, they can determine the depth and severity of the burn, as well as its healing potential. This immediate assessment replaces the need to wait for weeks to gauge the burn's progression, enabling doctors to promptly decide whether surgery is necessary or if the burn will heal without intervention.

"If the machine indicates that surgery is necessary for a patient, it ensures there's no delay in their treatment," Wong explained. "Conversely, if it suggests that the wound is likely to heal without surgery, it spares the patient from unnecessary pain and discomfort."

"In the past, we relied solely on clinical assessment. However, even experienced surgeons assessing burn wounds were only about 60 to 70 percent accurate in determining the true depth and expected healing time," Wong said.

"Now, with the use of the machine, we're achieving upwards of 90 to 92 percent accuracy in predicting the healing time for skin wounds caused by burns," Wong noted.

Previously, surgeons would often have to cut into tissue until they observed blood flow during surgery. The scanner now helps prevent the unnecessary removal of healthy tissue that might have been cut away in the past.

The Edmonton Firefighter Burn Treatment Society raised funds to contribute to purchasing the machine in 2023.

"It's crucial for us to fund projects like this when they approach us," stated Owen Chatwin, a member of the Edmonton Firefighter Burn Treatment Society. "Putting the latest technology in the hands of top doctors always benefits burn patients."

The issue is that the burn unit is situated on the third floor of the U of A Hospital, while the emergency department for both adults and children is on the first floor. Unfortunately, the scanner cannot be moved between floors. Having a second scanner would enable quicker access to the technology.

Spencer Beach, who was previously treated for burns, is assisting the Burn Treatment Society in its fundraising endeavors.

In 2003, after a chemical ignited at his workplace, Beach was given a five percent chance of survival. Within less than 20 seconds, he sustained third and fourth-degree burns covering 90 percent of his body.

He was transported to the University of Alberta Hospital, where he underwent treatment, including an experimental procedure. A doctor from the United States grew pieces of skin from a healthy sample taken from his foot as part of the treatment.

"Every six weeks, they would send me skin samples about the size of a piece of paper," he explained.

This procedure significantly reduced his expected time in the hospital and rehabilitation from three years to 14 months, although he emphasized that 14 months is still a lengthy period.

He personally understands how the technological advancements at the University of Alberta aid burn victims across the province.

The technology has made significant strides from the methods used when he was initially injured.

The doctors can visually estimate where the different degrees of burns begin and end, but it's not precise, and they can't accurately gauge the depth of the burns. The scanner, however, can save tissue that would have otherwise been lost, he said.

"When doctors initially remove all the dead tissue, they no longer have to rely on guesswork," he explained.

He mentioned that it won't just cut down on time spent in the operating room but will also lessen trauma for patients. "We need to continue striving to make this burn unit the top-notch facility in Canada," he emphasized.