Burn Treatment

Burn Surgery

There are two primary divisions of surgery to repair burns: acute and reconstructive. Acute procedures, which take place immediately following the injury, are performed by a group of trauma surgeons with expertise in acute burn care. Burns with the potential for complications frequently require a plastic surgeon to help oversee inpatient and outpatient care. Burns that span a large area of the body or that cover critical body parts should be dealt with at a verified burn center, but burns of less severity can be managed as an outpatient.

A reconstructive surgical procedure may be necessary once the original burn injury has healed. This type of operation is usually carried out by a plastic surgeon. The main objectives of reconstructive burn surgery are to improve mobility at the site of the burn and cosmetic appearance where a scar has formed. To accomplish this, the scar tissue must be modified both non-operatively and operatively. Patient visits to the reconstructive surgeon will typically be ongoing for years to come. Scar tissue treatment may need to continue for months before the patient exhibits signs of improvement. New scar contractures (shortening or distortion of muscular or connective tissue due to scarring) may develop well after the onset of the burn as well. This is especially prevalent in younger patients who have not finished growing.

Probable candidates for burn surgery

The ideal candidate for a burn operation is aware that surgery will not make their scars completely disappear. However, they do realize it could help that area of the body become more functional and decrease the visibility of scars. If contracture is restricting the range of motion of the neck, shoulders, hands, or extremities, scar contracture release may be beneficial to the patient. A plastic surgeon can also attend to setbacks affecting the eyelids, lips, and nose as well as address problems with hair loss. Scars that have healed in a peculiar manner can also be augmented using various surgical and nonsurgical methods.

Operative vs. non-operative procedures

The most common operative remedy is scar release therapy. When a taut scar is released, a plastic surgeon utilizes a variety of techniques to mend the wound. Depending on where the scar is located and the patient's preference, skin grafting, skin rearrangement (Z-plasty), or the more intricate flaps may be necessary. The majority of less demanding procedures are performed as outpatient surgery. Contrarily, substantial skin grafts and flaps will typically call for an inpatient stay.

Non-operative rehabilitation may incorporate scar massage, pressure garment application, or additional topical methods. An occupational therapist often regulates the sizing of pressure garments. Occupational therapy departments also employ hand therapy specialists to improve mobility in hands with extensive burns and scars.