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RACS ASC 2025
Oxandrolone in Major Burns: What do we do in Australasia?
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Poster

Disciplines

Trauma Surgery

Presentation Description

Institution: Fiona Stanley Hospital - Western Australia, Australia

Purpose: Oxandrolone is a synthetic testosterone analogue; shown to reduce weight loss, length of stay and improve donor site healing in major burns patients with no increased mortality or infection. Recent concerns regarding side-effects of oxandrolone, including liver and cholesterol dysfunction, led to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) withdrawing approval and as such supply and demand have been reduced. This project was designed to survey burns units in Australasia on usage of oxandrolone. Methodology: A standardised 10-question survey collected data from pharmacists and clinicians in the 18 burns units identified by the Burns Registry of Australia & New Zealand as treating major burns in Australasia. Units were telephoned and a follow-up email sent. Results: Information regarding use of oxandrolone was gathered for all 18 burns units. 4/18 burns units (22%) currently use oxandrolone. 2/18 (11%) have previously used oxandrolone but discontinued its use. 12/18 (67%) have never used oxandrolone. One burns unit in Australasia currently uses oxandrolone for paediatric burns. Conclusion: As with other countries, use of oxandrolone varies across Australasia. Some units which have seen large volumes of major burns recently (e.g. White Island Volcano disaster) feel the benefits in the context of a life-threatening burn injury outweigh risks in this specific patient cohort. This data will help inform clinicians treating burn-injured patients about use of oxandrolone in Australasia.
Presenters
Authors
Authors

Dr Harry Robinson - , Ms Alia Corcoran - , Dr Natalia Ziolkowski - , Mr Finbarr Donnan - , Dr Sandeep B - , Prof Suzanne Rea - , Dr Helen Douglas -