Surgical management and our clinical experiences in burns

Abstract

Objective: Burn is defined as a trauma that affects skin, largest organ in human body, and underlying tissue in varying degrees, and its management includes both systemic and local treatment modalities. In the present study, we aimed to review current surgical methods used in burns and patients in our burn unit who underwent surgical treatment.Methods: Medical records of 21 patients, who admitted to burn unit of Elazığ Education and Research Hospital between October, 2008 and February, 2011 and underwent surgical treatment, were retrospectively evaluated.Results: Overall, 260 patients were admitted to burn unit and 21 (8%) of these patients underwent surgical treatment during 26-months study period. Mean age was 12.2 years in patients underwent surgical treatment. Of these patients, 13 (62%) were men. In the burn unit, escharotomy was performed in 5 patients (23%) underwent whereas escharotomy plus autografting in 3 patients (14%) and early excision plus autografting in 13 patients (63%). Wound healing was achieved in 18 patients (86%) by above-mentioned treatments, while 3 patients were referred to tertiary care facility for further management. No mortality was observed. Conclusion:Early excision plus grafting is highly successful in profound burns and improves survival rate and quality of life when performed by experienced team.