The changing face of burn care: the Adelaide Children's Hospital Burn Unit: 1960-1996

Abstract

There have been considerable changes in burn care since the inception of the Adelaide Children's Hospital Burn Unit in 1960, resulting in a marked improvement in both morbidity and mortality. A burn of 30% T.B.S.A. is no longer considered life threatening, whilst a burn of 80% T.B.S.A. is now not only expected to survive, but to have a satisfactory functional and cosmetic outcome. An outline of these changes, as reflected in a review of 37 years of care, is discussed with particular reference to the improvements in scar management.