Publication:

An observational study of the outcome between early excision and resurfacing of deep thermal burns with the results of traditional dressing at a tertiary care center

Background Patients hospitalized with burn wounds face special challenges. Host, environmental, and organism factors increase burn patient risk of developing infection and may prolong the course of infection, once acquired. Host immune, circulatory, and respiratory systems are often compromised. Most admitted burn patients have third-degree or full-thickness burns, requiring granulation and/or grafting for acceptable repair. The zone of necrosis surrounding the burned tissue may continue to expand for up to 48 hours after injury, enlarging and deepening the path for pathogen invasion. Hospital environments may contain resistant strains of pathogenic organisms. Many studies have proved early excision and grafting of burn to be the better modality of treatment when compared with other methods like conservative dressing with antibiotics etc. This study was conducted to observe that early excision is better in patients having burn surface area less than 30% when compared to conservative dressing.

Methods This is an observational study of 60 patients out of which 30 received early resection and remaining 30 were treated with conservative dressing by antibiotics and other topical ointments.

Results In this study, observation was made that early resection of burns involving less than 30% body surface area has better outcomes in various parameters than conservative dressing and this has been statistically proven.

Conclusions This study concludes that early excision and resurfacing of deep burns is beneficial than the traditional dressing of burn wounds and saves time, resources and also gives a better outcome.