Health care–associated infections in burn patients, from ventilator-associated pneumonia to skin and soft tissue infections, can substantially compromise outcomes, because these complications are associated with longer lengths of stay, increased…
Chronic neuropathic pain after burn injury may have multiple causes, such as direct nerve injury, nerve compression, or neuroma formation, and can significantly impair quality of life and limit functional…
This article explores the current options for the quantitative assessment of hypertrophic burn scars. It also introduces a novel type of randomized, controlled trial, which relies on heterogeneity of the…
Outcomes research is important because it allows us to critically evaluate our results and strive for quality improvement, share our experiences with our colleagues, and improve the care and results…
This article considers multiple ethical principles in the context of patients with burns. It explores the application of these principles to burn care and the impact on medical decision making,…
Burn treatment has grown increasingly advanced and technologically capable. Clinicians must take into account, however, multidimensional patient needs that factor into long-term burn recovery. Important psychosocial factors associated with burn…
The burden of burn injury falls predominantly on the world’s poor, with low-income and middle-income countries accounting for 96% of burn injuries. These vulnerable populations are the least likely to…
Burn recovery includes addressing any emotional, psychological, and social needs of the survivor and family. Providing support and resources is essential for a smooth transition from the acute phase of…
In this article, the author surveys the best available evidence to guide decision-making in pediatric burn reconstruction. Evidence-based protocols are examined in the context of optimizing form and function in…
Face transplantation can provide improved quality of life to patients with extensive burn injuries. Facial vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) offers a new paradigm of treatment options, serving as a powerful…
Management of head and neck burns involves acute and intermediate phases. Acutely, the goals are establish a secure airway and treat life-threatening injuries. Then, optimize nutrition, assess extent of the…
Frequently burns of the hand occur as part of a major thermal injury, but appropriate treatment of the hands has high priority, because even small burns of the hand may…
The z-plasty is a highly versatile standard technique of reconstructive burn surgery. Variations of the classic z-plasty with limbs of equal length at 60° angles can accommodate specific reconstruction needs….
Peripheral neuropathy and nerve compression syndromes lead to substantial morbidity following burn injury. Patients present with pain, paresthesias, or weakness along a specific nerve distribution or experience generalized peripheral neuropathy….
Fat grafting provides a reliable modality with expanding usefulness in reconstructive plastic surgery. Owing to its mechanical and theorized regenerative properties, adipose tissue can improve scar qualities and scar related…
The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of laser therapy for the treatment of hypertrophic burn scars. Improvements in scar symptoms following laser treatment were reported…
In this review, the authors discuss the use of laser photothermolysis and laser resurfacing in the management of hypertrophic burn scars. They provide details regarding preoperative selection, intraoperative decision making,…
This article describes pathophysiology of burn injury–related pain and the basic principles of burn pain management. The focus is on concepts of perioperative and periprocedural pain management with extensive discussion…
Burns and trauma cause superficial and deep soft tissue wounds that cannot heal to the preinjury state. Healing requires cell proliferation and differentiation into the injured tissue type, laying down…
Rehabilitation of patients with burn injuries aims to restore strength, coordination, and mobility as closely to normal as possible and should begin immediately after initial admission. In the acute phase,…
