title: Damage limitation in burn surgery.
abstract: Burn injury differs from other types of trauma in the apparent lack of urgency for treatment. We argue that in order to limit physiological damage and the development of multi-organ failure, management of the burn wound must be immediate and aggressive. Supportive fluid treatment should be judicious in order to prevent excessive oedema causing wound extension. Some potential strategies utilising oral fluid resuscitation are discussed, and potential pharmacological interventions. When associated with other trauma, major burn injury has a detrimental effect on morbidity and mortality, and surgical management of both aspects of a patient's injuries are altered.
authors.affiliation: South Auckland Burns Service, Middlemore Hospital, P.O. Box 93311, Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand. timbrown@middleore.co.nz
authors.forename: Tim La H
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Muller
mesh_terms: D002056:Burns / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000517:prevention & control; D012151:Resuscitation; D012774:Shock, Traumatic / Q000628:therapy