ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case study of a 48-year-old man who was found unconscious in a burning house. The patient has severe thermal burns and is at high risk of complications of smoke inhalation. These include airway obstruction, restrictive chest expansion, carbon monoxide poisoning, hypovolaemic shock, compartment syndrome and rhabdomyolysis. Tetanus prophylaxis should be considered in all burns patients. Superficial and deep thickness partial burns are treated with agents that chemically debride non-viable tissue, have antibacterial properties and moisture the tissue. All patients with burns should be administered with 15 L/min of oxygen through a non-rebreather mask with consideration of early orotracheal intubation. Burn severity is based on the depth of the burn and the total body surface area (BSA). The initial fluid resuscitation for burns patients is extremely important to counter hypovolaemic shock. It is permissible to place an intravenous cannula through burnt skin, and this is often necessary in extensive injuries.
