title: Clinical evaluation of extensive excision of burn eschar in the presence of septicaemia--analysis of 32 cases.
abstract: This paper reports 32 cases of burn septicaemia undergoing extensive escharectomy in our hospital during the years 1969-1980. The total burn area averaged 66.4 per cent, and that of full-thickness burn 49.8 per cent of the body surface area. Septicaemia was controlled in 18 cases postoperatively (56.3 per cent). The extent of each escharectomy averaged 23.3 per cent TBS, with a maximum of 42 per cent TBS in the survivors. Delayed excision of eschar and incomplete excision of the main infected lesions were the principal causes of 15 deaths (57.4 per cent). Identification of the main nidus of infection, its cause, the need for operation, the time for operation, the extent of excision at each operation, the type of wound coverage and the supportive treatment have been discussed. It is believed that with proper perioperative management, extensive escharectomy can be performed in the presence of septicaemia and many lives can be saved as long as there are convincing indications for such operations.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors