Burns are one of the most devastating and yet common types of trauma. They are expensive, complicated and time-consuming to deal with.

World wide experience has shown that significant burns are best managed in a dedicated burns unit staffed by a team of specialised surgeons, nurses and therapists. In the early stages intravenous fluids, adequate nutrition and adequate pain relief, plus protection of the damaged tissues, must be ensured. The mainstay of burns reconstruction is skin grafting, but if the burn is extensive this may not always be possible and artificial skin substitutes, cultured skin cells and even donor human dermis grafts may be used for resurfacing if there is not enough natural skin available.

In full-thickness burns, the whole burnt area is cut out, removing the dead tissue, then the area resurfaced. Multiple operations can be required and long term follow-up to deal with problems such as scar contractures is essential.

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