Burn Injury, Primary Wound Excision

Synonyms

First-degree burn; Full-thickness burn; Partial thickness burn; Second-degree burn; Thermal injury; Third-degree burn

Definition

Burn wounds can be classified as first, second, or third degree based on surface appearance. First-degree wounds are superficial, painful, and reddened. They do not require surgical intervention and are generally treated with topical moisturizers and avoidance of recurrent injury. This injury is typified by the injury from prolonged sun exposure without blisters. Second-degree burns are deeper, causing a superficial edema deposition between deeper viable tissues and injured tissues that are more superficial. The surface appearance is moist with blisters in various degrees of rupture. Treatment involves debridement of intact blisters at risk for rupture to remove the fluid, which contain high concentrations of thromboxanes and coverage with topical antimicrobial agents or synthetic wound dressings. The deeper elements of the skin remain intact and can...