ABSTRACT
Since the end of World War II there has been steady improvement in the clinical outcome for patients with serious burn injuries. Early and aggressive fluid resuscitation can usually prevent burn shock, except with the most extensive full-thickness burns and in patients with coexisting disease. This has dramatically increased initial survival from burn injuries. Early excision and grafting along with better antimicrobial therapy have reduced the incidence of sepsis. Refinements in nutritional support and general wound care have also facilitated wound healing. Improvements in clinical outcome have not been restricted to decreased mortality. In specialized burn centers, therapeutic interventions are influenced by rehabilitation issues from the time of admission. Better functional and cosmetic outcomes have resulted in improvements in quality of life for burn victims.
