Burn Care

Modulating Cellular Responses to Mechanical Forces to Promote Wound Regeneration

“…152 Despite advances in resuscitative techniques that have enhanced the survival of burn patients, progress in preventing the functionally and esthetically detrimental formation of scar tissue has been slow. 162 Current burn scar therapies range from noninvasive approaches such as silicone gel sheeting, compression garments, topical emollients, and massage, to more invasive interventions such as intralesional therapy, scar excision, tissue rearrangements, and contracture releases. Each of these approaches attempts to mitigate deficiencies of scar tissue, such as its stiffness and contracture that impedes functional range of motion, or the presence of surface irregularities.…”

Management of Critical Burn Injuries: Recent Developments

“…Differences in resource consumption including operative procedures, post-discharge destination, and median hospital charge support the use of verified burn centers in the management of burn-injured patients. Clearly, the population seen in verified and non-verified burn centers is different and this report details resource consumption issues which may be better addressed in a regionalized burn care system [32].…”

Burn surgeons in South Africa: A rare species

“…[7,8] Burn care is viewed as a Cinderellatype, nonaccredited specialty. There is a shortage of burn units, as defined by the American Burn Association, for large numbers of patients, and inadequate num bers of surgeons/medical officers to provide the services needed for prehospital care, acute care and postburn rehabilitation.…”