The management of burns

Article Abstract:

Despite great improvements in the treatment of burn patients, burns are second only to automobile accidents as a cause of accidental death in the US. Each year 2.5 million people in this country seek medical care for burns, 100,000 are hospitalized, and 12,000 die of their burns. The author provides a careful review of the current standards of care for the hospitalized burn patient. The first task is to accurately evaluate the patient, including determining signs of smoke inhalation or respiratory distress. Burns must be aseptically dressed; the authors warns against the use of ice packs or cold dressings. The body responds to severe burns with a hypermetabolic state (increased metabolism) which is unequalled by any other form of trauma, and this response may require increased intake of calories and proteins by some patients. Studies are still underway to determine the optimal mix of dietary components for patients recovering from burns. In addition to the potential for infection of the burn itself, severe burns also seem to depress immunity, and burn patients are especially susceptible to infection. Burn wound infection and lung infection are the most common causes of death in burn patients. Patients with burns covering 65 to 75 percent of their body have a roughly 50 percent chance of survival. For patients with burns covering 20 percent of the body or less, the condition is not life-threatening, and the primary focus of medical attention becomes recovery of function and cosmetic appearance. Newer techniques for treating burns include the application of tissue culture, which permits skin cells to be grown in an incubator and then used to re-seed areas of severe damage. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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Initial management of burns

Article Abstract:

Over 1 million people are seriously burned each year in the US and 50,000 need to be hospitalized. Fluid accumulates in burned skin, which removes fluid from the circulation. Patients need fluid replacement to prevent shock. Lactated Ringer's solution is most commonly used for this purpose. The use of adjuvant colloid appears to be of little use. Topical antibiotics should be applied to burns and the most commonly used is silver sulfadiazine. Shallow burns can be covered with dressing or skin grafts. Deep burns can be surgically removed and replaced with skin grafts or artificial skin.

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Cutaneous wound healing

Article Abstract:

The skin is an important barrier against chemicals and microorganisms. Consequently, a skin wound must be healed promptly. The injury leads to a blood clot, which forms the basis of new skin formation. Skin cells become de-linked from each other and can move to the site of injury. Many blood cells, growth factors and other natural chemicals in the body are involved in repairing the wound. In addition to new skin formation, new blood vessels are formed. The resulting scar will only be 70% as strong as normal skin.

Physiological aspects, Wound healing

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