Adult burn management

Abstract

The management of the adult burn is a complex and multi- faceted endeavour. The burn injury and wound cause both local and systemic effects mediated by the host responses of inflammation, regeneration, and repair. Initial physiological derangement can give rise to shifts in fluids, electrolytes and proteins within body compartments necessitating formal fluid resuscitation in large burns. Following on from this initial physiological derangement subsequent metabolic, hematological, immunological and endocrine disturbances can occur making the care of these patients a difficult and challenging task. The sequelae and in general the severity of the injury is dependant on the aetiology, the size of the burn and the anatomical depth of tissue destruction. Management of the burn wound is key to attenuation of systemic sequelae and the aim of care is to achieve early durable and sound healing. This must be achieved whilst managing the multi system nature of the illness [1].