Surgery for Burn Injuries

Sustaining a burn can be on one of the most painful injuries to endure. Proper burn treatment is essential for the recovery of Kansas City burn victims. Depending upon the severity of the burn, some burn patients may face surgery. Certain treatments may be required to continue after the initial burn wound has healed. In these cases, patients are faced with multiple surgeries and doctors visits, perhaps for months and even years to come.

Acute treatment

Treatment that occurs directly following the burn injury is referred to as acute treatment. Usually, for severe burn injuries the treatment will take place in an emergency or trauma facility setting. The patient may be under the care of an entire team of doctors and nurses, including a plastic surgeon. This team will most likely have expertise in treating acute burns. Patients who suffer from severe or large scale burns may find better treatment options in an actual burn center and might be transfered there from the hospital accordingly. Less severe burns can be treated on an outpatient basis.

Reconstructive treatment

After the original burn injury is healed, decisions will be made about follow-up care. Reconstructive surgeries may be necessary for the burn patient. Surgeries and treatments may last for years after the original injury. Reconstructive surgery serves two purposes. First to address the scarring and cosmetic appearance of the burn. Both will be brought into consideration as the plastic surgeon decides what course of treatment to follow.

In some cases, however, reconstruction is not just about scarring and appearance, but proper function. Some burn injuries damage enough muscle tissue that body function is compromised. Reconstructive surgery can help modify the scar tissue and improve mobility and function. For young burn patients, this is especially vital. As children grow multiple surgeries may be required to keep up with the child's new growth. Reconstructive surgery, in these instances, seeks to correct new scar contractures, or the changes in the muscles and connective tissues from scarring.

Candidates for surgery

Surgery candidates understand that surgery cannot completely erase every scar. Surgeons work to correct the functional issues after the burn, which in many cases includes physical appearance as well. Work on such features as the eyelids, nose, lips, and the hairline may be addressed by the surgeon.

Some surgical procedures focus on improving range of motion in the neck, shoulders, head, and the limbs. Scar release therapy is a procedure in which the surgeon cuts through a tight scar and then follows up with the appropriate measures to fix the wound. Skin grafts, Z-plasty, or other surgeries are commonly used.

Non-surgical therapies

Some treatments that do not require hospitalization can be effective. Pressure garments, for example, are can be utilized in occupational therapy sessions. Other therapies can help that patient work through issues and regain strength and mobility.

Have you or a loved one suffered severe burns? Have your burns required extensive burn surgeries and treatments? If you have questions about your rights, the personal injury lawyers at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys offer a free consultation. Call us at 888-348-2616 to set up an appointment. You can also download your free copy of the resource guide 10 Essential Steps You Must Take To Protect Your Injury Claim for further information.

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