Contributor: Megan Hurley, MD

Educational Pearls:

Airway: consider inhalation injury
Breathing: circumferential burns of the trunk region can reduce respiratory muscle movement
Circulation: circumferential burns compromise circulation
Exposure: Important to assess the affected surface area

Escharotomy: emergency procedure to release the tourniquet-ing effects of the eschar

Normal saline is avoided in large quantities due to the possibility of it leading to hyperchloremic acidosis

References

Acosta P, Santisbon E, Varon J. “The Use of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure in Mechanical Ventilation.” Critical Care Clinics. 2007;23(2):251-261. doi:10.1016/j.ccc.2006.12.012
Orgill DP, Piccolo N. Escharotomy and decompressive therapies in burns. J Burn Care Res. 2009;30(5):759-768. doi:10.1097/BCR.0b013e3181b47cd3
Snell JA, Loh NH, Mahambrey T, Shokrollahi K. Clinical review: the critical care management of the burn patient. Crit Care. 2013;17(5):241. Published 2013 Oct 7. doi:10.1186/cc12706

Summarized by Meg Joyce, MS1 | Edited by Meg Joyce & Jorge Chalit

Episode 915: Severe Burn Injuries

Emergency Medical Minute