Reconstructive Surgery in the Thermally Injured Patient
Abstract
Reconstruction is a necessity in the complete care of the burn patient. This need has grown not only because of advances made in critical care resulting in improved patient survival, but also because of an increased number of burn admissions. In 2011, the American Burn Association approximated that 450,000 people suffer annually from burn injuries requiring medical treatment. Of these, 45,000 require admission, 55% (24,750 admissions) will enter the 125 hospitals with specialized burn care centers, an increase of 340% from 1995. Among those admitted to these burn centers, the expected overall survival rate is 94.8%.2 Depending on the depth and location of the burn injury, many of these patients require reconstructive surgery to ameliorate the late effect of burn scarring. In addition to a greater demand for reconstruction secondary to the number of surviving patients, there has also been an increased awareness by patients and their providers that reconstructive surgery is a possibility. Furthermore, advances in tissue engineering and in surgical techniques have increased the options available to patients who previously might have unreconstructable deformities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA619986
Entities
People
- Davin Mellus
- Rodney K Chan
Organizations
- United States Army Institute of Surgical Research