Reversible burn injury

Abstract

Treatment of the patient with burns has advanced dramatically during the last several decades. Patients with burns that cover a greater percentage of the body surface area are now surviving. Cardiac, pulmonary, and vascular insults are better understood and more adequately treated. Nutritional requirements of the patient with burns can be fulfilled, and physical therapy is providing improved quality of life. In spite of these advances, care of burned tissue has progressed only moderately. The introduction of silver nitrate and other topical antibiotics and early excision significantly improved burn care. Other advances are not in widespread use in spite of research data that detail beneficial alternatives or additions to current therapies. Specifically, reversal of burn injury is possible. The research in this field had progressed considerably to the present. Reversal of dermal vascular occlusion in burned tissue seems to preserve that tissue.