This document provides an overview of burn injury management. It discusses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, classification, and treatment principles for burns. The key aspects of management include initial resuscitation using fluid replacement formulas to prevent shock, wound care, infection prevention, and long-term rehabilitation to address physical and psychological impacts of severe burns. Proper management requires a multidisciplinary team to address the many systemic effects of serious burns.

1. MANAGEMENT OF BURN INJURIES
Dr. LAWAL G.D
Registrar, dept. of Surgery, NHA

2. OUTLINE
• INTRODUCTION
• EPIDERMIOLOGY
• AETIOPATHOGENESIS
• MANAGEMENT - Initial Assessment and Resuscitation
-Management of Inhalational injury
-Wound Care
-Nutritional Support
-Pharmacological Support
-Rehabilitation and Re-integration
• COMPLICATIONS
• PROGNOSIS
• EMERGING TRENDS
• CONCLUSION

3. INTRODUCTION
• Burns are one of the most devastating conditions
encountered in medicine.
• The injury represents an assault on all aspects of the
patient, from the physical to the psychological
• >90% of burns are caused by carelessness or
ignorance and are completely preventable.

4. INTRODUCTION (contd)
• Burns patient often require years of supervised
rehabilitation, reconstruction and psychosocial support.
The quality of burn care is no longer measured by only
survival but also by long-term function and appearance.
• The goal for any burn management is a well healed
durable skin with a normal function and near normal
appearance.

5. DEFINITION:
• A burn is tissue injury from thermal (heat or cold)
application or from the absorption of physical energy
or chemical contact. More than 90% of burn injury is
from thermal application
• It can also be defined as the coagulative necrosis of
skin ( and sometimes deeper tissues ) following
contact with injurious agents

6. EPIDEMIOLOGY
• Varying incidence worldwide
• Incidence Increasing in the last 3 decades- a major cause being
terrorists activities in recent times .
• In the United Kingdom about 250 000 people are burnt each year.
Of these, 175 000 attend accident and emergency departments,
and 13 000 of these are admitted to hospital.
• Mortality and Morbidity: Reducing in developing countries. This is
due to reduction in poverty, ignorance, illiteracy, and the advances
in technology; No real change in sub-Saharan Africa and other
poor nations

7. EPIDEMIOLOGY (contd)
PREDISPOSING FACTORS:
• Extremes of age (<3yrs, >60yrs)
• Male sex/adolescence
• Compromising factors such as alcoholism, epilepsy,
chronic psychiatric or medical illness/disability

8. AETIOPATHGENESIS
The common burns are :
• scald- hot water, hot soup, hot oil, hot tar/asphalt etc.
• flame/dry heat- house fire, petroleum product
explosion, road traffic accident, bomb blasts etc
• contact with-hot metals, hot plastic, hot objects, caustic
chemicals, electricity etc

9. AETIOPATHGENESIS (contd)
MEDIATORS OF THE BURN RESPONSE INCLUDES:
• Cytokines
• Oxygen radicals
• Arachidonic acid metabolites
• Endotoxins
• Others- Cathecholamines, Aldosterone, Growth hormone, 5HT,
Histamine, Thyroxin, Cortisol, Glucagon, Insulin

10. EFFECTS OF THESE MEDIATORS
• Alter vascular permeability
• Catabolism of muscle
• Production of anaemia
• Initiate wound healing
• Produce fever
• Cause RBC haemolysis
• Disrupt interstitial matrix

11. THE BODY’S RESPONSE TO A BURN
Extent of initial burn injury is determined by ;
• The temperature of the burning agent
• The duration of contact with agent
• The consequent inflammatory reaction
Effect on the skin (Local Injury):
Coagulative necrosis, Disruption of basement membrane,
Blistering, Vascular changes, 3 zones (Jacksons burn zones of
injury)- coagulation, stasis, hyperaemia

12. JACKSONS BURN ZONES OF INJURY

13. REGIONAL INJURY
• Usually seen in circumferential burns (eschars)
• Mainly vascular (direct vascular injury is rare)
• Venous obstruction due to gross oedema
• Poor regional circulation may lead to ischaemia

14. SYSTEMIC INJURY
A. Fluid loss
• Initial vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation and increased
capillary leakage.
• Mediated by vasoactive agents and oxygen radicals
• There is extravasation of fluids, electrolytes and plasma to the
interstitial space- hypovolemia, (shock if severe),
Haemoconcentration-sluggish blood flow (stasis) may predispose to
thrombosis
• Fluid loss is fastest in the first 8 hours and tapers off within 24 -48
hours
• Without infection the reabsorption of oedema fluid is complete in 5-7
days

15. B. Renal dysfunction
• This is secondary to hypovolaemia- reduction in renal
perfusion → ↓GFR →acute tubular necrosis
• In deep burns haemoglobinuria and myoglobinuria may occur
leading to damage of the distal convoluted tubules
C. Gastrointestinal
• Mucosal damage – due to hypoperfusion →Loss of mucosal
integrity (Curling’s ulceration, GI bleeding), Ileus, Gastric
dilatation
• Translocation of gut bacteria via the portal system and
lymphatics- risk of sepsis

16. D. Anaemia
• Early anaemia is usually due to direct destruction
of red blood cells by heat
• Sludging from haemoconcentration or red cell
trapping following vessel thrombosis may also
contribute.
• Red cell loss is also noted following wound
dressing or bone marrow depression due to
infection

17. E. Inhalational injury
• Due to inhalation of noxious , irritant fumes (e.g. CO, hydrogen
cyanide )
• Acute inflammatory reaction → vasodilation, exudation and
oedema → separation of cilia from the basement membrane
→ ulceration
• Protein in the exudate form fibrin casts which adhere to the
bronchi and prevent expiration
• Release of oxygen free radicals TNF and interleukins also
damage the lung tissue
• During healing there may be loss of pseudostratified ciliated
epithelium

18. F. Adrenal changes
• Increased catecholamine release which helps with the
cardiovascular response to burns . They also cause
increased gluconeogenesis, glycolysis and lipolysis
G. Other systemic effects
• Increased production of ACTH and glucagon
• Negative nitrogen balance

19. H. Increased susceptibility to infections
• Presence of reactive free oxygen radicals destabilizes cell
membranes including the leucocytes
• Destruction of mechanical barrier
• Reduced peripheral lymphocytes
• Reduced NK cell activity

20. CLASSIFICATION
According to depth -based on Appearance, Blanching/Capillary refill,
Pain sensation (needle prick)
• SUPERFICIAL (EPIDERMAL)- erythema
• PARTIAL THICKNESS-
1.superficial partial thickness-blisters, pink, moist, good capillary
refill and blanches,
2.deep dermal partial thickness-dry, poor/absent capillary refill,
impaired sensation
• FULL THICKNESS- charred, densed white or brown leathery,
absent capillary refill, absent sensation

25. TREATMENT
Principles: Resuscitation, Repair, Rehabilitation, Re-
integration
CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION
• Burns >10% TBSA in children and >15% in adults
• Full thickness burns >5% in children and 7.5% in adult
• Inhalation injury

26. CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION (contd)
• Burns affecting hands, feet, face, perineum, joint surfaces
• Electrical burn
• Chemical burns
• Infected burn wounds
• Any suspected case of abuse or neglect
• Burns with other diseases
• People of extremes of life-young children and the aged

27. INITIAL ASSESSMENT AND RESUSCITATION
A. Manage according to ATLS protocol
ESCHAROTOMY

28. INITIAL ASSESSMENT AND RESUSCITATION (contd)
B. Assess the % Burnt area (helps to estimate the severity of
burn and in calculating the fliud requirement)- commonly used
method:
-Patient’s palm which is 1% of his or her body
-Wallace’s rule of 9
-Lund & Browder chart
C. Assess burn depth as discussed above

29. WALLACE’S RULE OF 9

30. LUND & BROWDER CHART

31. D. Fluid therapy
• Amount required in the resuscitative process estimated using
formulae.
• Various formulae available.
• Based on use of crystalloids or colloid in the resuscitative
process.
• The time-dependent variables for all of these formulas begin
from the moment of injury, not from the time the patient is
seen in the emergency department.
• Calculations for the rate of fluid resuscitation should take this
into account and reflect the decreased or increased starting
IV fluid rate.

32. Ringers Lactate solution
• Ideal crystalloid solution
• Preferable to normal saline for large-volume
resuscitations because its lower sodium
concentration (130 mEq/L vs 154 mEq/L) and higher
pH concentration (6.5 vs 5.0) are closer to
physiologic levels
• Has buffering effect of metabolized lactate on the
associated metabolic acidosis seen in burn injury.

33. Parkland formula
• commonly used
• fluid requirements estimated at approximately 4 mL/kg body weight ×
percentage burnt TBSA
• half the calculated volume given in first 8 hours post burn, with the
remaining delivered over 16 hours
• Next 24hrs: Colloids given as 20-60% of calculated plasma volume.
Dextrose in water is added and titrated in amount require to maintain a
hourly urine output of 0.5-1ml/kg/hr in adult and 1-2ml/kg/hr in children
NB: daily maintenance fluild in the form of 4.3% D/S is added in children-
they have a large surface area to body mass ratio and low glycogen store

34. Patients in need of higher fluid calculated from Parkland formula:
• electrical burns
• inhalational injury
• those on home diuretics
• presence of escharotomy or fasciotomy
Other formulae: Muir and Barclay ‘s, Modified Brookes; Evans;
Monafo; Shriner’s Cincinnati and Galveston (latter two formulae
being developed especially for children)

35. Antioxidant therapy: use of Zinc, Selenium, Vit. E and Vit. C etc have
been shown to help recovery in burn patients by stabilizing cell
membranes
E. Monitoring
-Hourly urinary output- aim for output of 1-2ml/kg/hr[n children and
0.5-1ml/kg/hr (or ≈30-50mls/hr) for adult
-vital signs temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure
-pulse oximeter
-continuous ECG monitoring in major burns
-serial determination of haematocrit, Serum electrolytes, glucose and
albumin
-doppler monitoring for compartment syndrome

36. MANAGEMENT OF INHALATIONAL INJURIES
Best managed in an ICU under the care of the anaesthesiologist,
burn surgeon and the chest physician
CLINICAL INDICATION FOR INTUBATION
ABSOLUTE:
-Burn of the palate, tongue and pharynx,
-Oedema of the posterior pharynx and upper glottis
- Burn of vocal cords.
RELATIVE:
- Hoarseness
- Facial burn
- Sooty sputum

37. MANAGEMENT OF INHALATIONAL INJURIES (contd)
• Escharotomy
• Bronchoscopy ± intubation
• Monitor arterial blood gases
• 100% Oxygen
• Nebulized adrenalin(5mg) and salbutamol (2.5-5mg)
• Positive pressure ventilation
• Repeated bronchoscopic lavage
• Incentive spirometry and Chest physiotherapy

38. WOUND CARE:
• Determination of depth of burns is critical
• Dressing could be by exposure or occlusive .
• Superficial partial thickness burn usually heals in 14-21 days
• Deep partial thickness burns heals in 2-6 weeks with some
scarring
• Full thickness burns takes longer to heal- complications
• Initial wound care aims to reduce bacterial load, remove dead
tissue, and prevent wound infection
• Topical antibiotic agents (Silver sulphadiazine, 0.5% silver
nitrate, povidone iodine, honey etc) are useful in preventing
wound sepsis

39. BURN WOUND / DONOR SITE DISCREPANCY
• Temporary skin graft- human allograft, xenograph (porcine
skin) , Biobrane etc
• Permanent skingraft- Integra, alloderm,
• Staged skin grafting
• Meshed skin grafting- allows for larger surface area to be
covered, allows for escape of bllod/plasma from beneath the
grafted skill thus reducing chances of graft uptake failure
• Biologic membranes such as amniotic membranes
• Cultured keratinocytes (skin culture)

40. MESHED SKIN

41. Treatment by exposure
• Areas that are difficult to dress: face, genitalia and perineum
• Minimally discharging wound
• To allow for frequent monitoring: finger tips
• To allow for joint movement (polythene bag on the hand)

42. TREATMENT BY EXPOSURE

43. NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT
• Patient is in a catabolic state with negative nitrogen balance.
• Necessary to enable the body to repair the damaged tissue and to combat
infection.
• This is only feasible when the patients are stabilized
• Immediate commencement of oral feeding in the absence of ileus
• TPN only when enteral route impracticable
• Daily energy requirement may be calculated using the Curreri formula- 25 ×
wgt(kg) + 40 × TBSA
(Other formulae includes: Harris-Benedict, the Toronto formula, the Davies etc)
• The protein intake should be approximately 2-3g/kg/day
• Trace elements, vitamins and essential proteins are also given

44. • ANTI TETANUS
• ANTI ULCER
• ANTICOAGULATION
• ANTIBIOTICS
• ANALGESICS

45. REHABILITATION AND RE-INTEGRATION
• Physiotherapy- Very aggressive therapy sessions; Full ROM early-
Elevation hands and lower extremity
• Prophylactic splinting
• Occupational therapy
• Psychotherapy
• Early wound closure
• Early institution of pressure therapy
• Silicone gel therapy
• Anti itch therapy
• Management of abnormal scarring, and contractures

46. PROPHYLACTIC SPLINTING

47. EARLY
• Shock
• Respiratory
depression
• Wound infection
• Sepsis
• Acute renal failure
• GI haemorrhage
• Thrombophlebitis/DVT
• Paralytic ileus
• Infective endocarditis
• UTI
COMPLICATIONS

48. LATE
• Psychiatric disturbances
• Hypertrophic scarring
• Keloids
• Dyschromic scars
• Contractures/Deformities
• Marjolin’s ulcers
COMPLICATIONS (contd)

50. NEW AND EVOLVING MEANS OF MANAGEMENT
• Skin culture (Cultured Epidermal Autograft [CEA]) i.e growing
sheets of epithelium and applying it to the burn wound.
• Orcel temporary dressing- a marterial made up of layers of human
skin cells (from someone other than the donor0 and collagen from
cows. Use to dress burn wound and graft donor site for 2-3 weeks
then removed
• Tissue expanders made up of specialized balloon and inflated with
normal saline – use to cover areas burns injury
• Polychromatic light emiitting diodes use to stimulate healing of
burn wound in diabetics

51. PROGNOSIS
• age <3yrs, >60yrs
• TBSA >60%
• Inhalational injury
• % of full thickness burns
• Prognostic burns Index (PBI) = (age + %TBSA +
Grade of inhalational injury)- >140 unsurvivable

52. CONCLUSION
• A burn is the coagulative necrosis of tissue
• Proper rehydration in the first 24 hrs is important in the
management of this patient as this affects treatment
outcome and limits complications
• Good nutrition and proper wound care are essential
• The patient should be rehabilitated post burns treatment
• Giant strides being made in the search for treatment options
that will improve outcome

53. REFERENCES
• Grabb and Smith’s Plastic surgery 6th ed.
• Barret JP; Burns resuscitation BMJ; 392; 246-7
• Heimbach DM; Early burn excision and skin grafting
• Principles and Practise of surgery including pathology in the tropics by Badoe et al. 4th ed.
• Schwartz’s principle of surgery; 9th ed.
• emedicine.medscape.com/article/1277360/
• ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc30384061
• ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC31882641