Risk of Amputation and Associated Outcomes in Conveyance Burn Injuries, a Burn Model System Project

Despite improved safety standards, motor vehicle collisions remain a significant source of flame burn injury. The objective of this study is to characterize differences in demographics and outcomes between patients with burn injuries related to motor vehicle collisions and flame burn patients not involved in motor vehicle collisions. The analysis included participants enrolled in the Burn Model Systems from 2015-2023. Conveyance burn participants had more amputations than non-conveyance burn patients (15% vs. 4.9%, p < 0.001), with an increase in lower extremity amputations (2.5% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.027). Additionally, conveyance burns involved a greater total body surface area (TBSA) (26% vs. 23%, p < 0.034) and were associated with longer hospital stays (40 days vs. 33 days, p < 0.006). Participants who sustained injuries during conveyance demonstrated significantly lower global physical health t-scores (42.3 vs. 44.1, p = 0.037) and physical function t-scores (42.0 vs. 46.1, p = 0.002) at 6 months post-injury compared to those with non-conveyance flame burns. Additionally, conveyance burn participants reported significantly lower t-scores for their ability to participate in social roles at 6 months (48.8 vs. 50.8, p = 0.044) and 12 months post-injury (49.9 vs. 54.0, p = 0.015). This study highlights the significant impact of conveyance-related burn injuries, particularly with respect to higher amputation rates and poorer early physical outcomes, compared to non-conveyance flame burns. This supports the need for targeted preventive strategies, especially those focused on vehicle maintenance and safety among younger and underrepresented populations.