ABSTRACT
Depending on patient desire, injury severity, and resource availability, staged burn reconstruction can be unnecessary or last a lifetime. There is a core set of early reconstructive operations commonly required during the first years after injury (Textbox: What is burn surgery?). If these needs are met,
patients reach independent function earlier and later reconstructive efforts can more effectively provide them high-quality functional and aesthetic results they have every right to expect. These needs are optimally delivered by the acute care team as the procedures often overlap late acute burn and wound priorities, and the relationship between this team and the patient is well established. An acute recon - structive plan should be made collaboratively with the patient and their family, the patient’s therapists, and the surgical team. These operations are generally very well tolerated. Waiting for complete scar maturation in the face of obvious functional needs interferes with recovery.
