title: Burn injuries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To summarize new advances and research findings that relate to the treatment of burn victims.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recent advances in burn resuscitation and critical care reflect a better understanding of the acute phase pathophysiology of severe burns. Aggressive management of the unstable burn airway is always the most important clinical priority. Emphasis has been placed on the early identification of inhalation injury and its impact on fluid resuscitation, as well as on a protective lung strategy to reduce the development of pulmonary edema, acute lung injury and pneumonia, and to reduce the risk of barotrauma. New blood markers, such as serum cholinesterase and inflammatory cytokines, have been introduced to assist in the prognosis of morbidity and mortality, beyond the traditional vital signs. At this time, however, these are available only for research purposes. Finally, early burn wound excision and coverage with new biodegradable materials results in less pain and more rapid healing for the patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of innovative approaches and a dedicated burn team is expected to continue to improve survival in the next few years even in the most severe cases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marko
authors.forename: A Joseph
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Layon
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Mozingo
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gabrielli