Burns and Post-Burn Deformities
The release of a post burn contracture of the neck with a split skin graft
Burns is an accident with devastating consequences. Appropriate timely treatment can reduce the effect of these consequences. Burns can be caused by heat, electricity or chemicals. they are called as thermal burns, electrical burns or chemical burns.
Burns can be life threatening injuries. The burns can cause fluid and electrolyte disturbances, renal failure, respiratory failure or sepsis which all can lead to death. Burns can be of various depths. Depending on the depth the burns can cause damage and scarring during healing. The location and type of scaring will decide the deformity or contractures due to the burns.
While it is not possible to completely remove the burns scarring, it is definitetly possible to alleviate the suffering of these patients to a significant extent. Various surgical methods like skin grafts, tissue expanders flaps can be used. The use of pressure garments splints and frequent massages will help these scars.