Many factors cause burn injuries. The most common cause of burns is hot liquids (such as hot water and tea), and the most important factors affecting the degree of the burn are the temperature of the liquid and the duration of exposure. However, flame burns, flash burns, contact burns, and electrical burns are also common types of burns. Burn treatment and burn surgery allow for the repair and removal of burn injuries and scars. Factors determining the severity of a burn include the extent, depth, and location of the burn, the patient’s age, general health status, and the cause of the burn.

Burns are classified according to their degree.

First-Degree Burns

Sunburn is an example of a first-degree burn. In these burns, the uppermost layer of the skin, called the epidermis, is affected and is quite painful. It is treated with topical ointments.

Second-Degree Burns

Second-degree burns are further classified as superficial and deep burns. Superficial burns characteristically produce fluid-filled blisters. These usually heal within 3 weeks with pigmentation, but scar tissue development is rarely expected. In second-degree deep burns, the damage occurs in the deep dermis, and scar tissue and contracture development are generally observed.

Third-Degree Burns

These are full-thickness burns, involving the entire skin. These patients may require reconstructive surgery such as skin grafting or flap repair.

Which Patients Require Hospitalization?

Those under 10 years of age or over 50 years of age with second and third-degree burns covering more than 10% of their total body surface area (TBA).

Those other than the above patient groups with second and third-degree burns covering more than 20% of their TBA.

Electrical burns
Inhalation burns
Chemical burns
Genital burns
Patients with concomitant diseases or trauma.

What are the Key Points in Treatment?

In burn treatment, the first and most important step for burn patients is ensuring adequate fluid and electrolyte support. In patients requiring hospitalization, the amount of fluid should be calculated based on the degree and extent of the burn, taking into account parameters such as urine output and CVP, and intravenous fluid supplementation should be provided.

Burn patients have suppressed immune systems, and the integrity of the skin, the most important defense system against microorganisms, is compromised. Therefore, serious and fatal infections can occur in these patients. Wound care and antibiotic treatment are other important areas in the burn treatment process.

In burn patients who heal after treatment, contractures, which are joint contractures and loss of function due to wound healing, and scar tissue formation may occur. Appropriate methods to prevent these, such as reconstruction, splinting, physical therapy, compression garment use, silicone sheets, and the use of creams to prevent scar formation, are very important.

Late-Stage Treatment of Burn Patients

The most common late-stage complications in burn patients are scar tissue formation, which is a type of undesirable scarring, and contractures, which are skin bands that restrict movement in the joint area. Treatment options include tissue expander applications, and repair with skin grafting or flaps after opening the contracture.