Escharotomy in severe burns

Overview

Injury following a burn can be complex, with significant variation in both the aetiology and severity requiring prompt clinical assessment and management. As with all trauma presentations, patients who have sustained a burn injury are best managed in a systematic manner with a thorough primary and secondary survey.

Additionally, a focus on the burn injury pattern, characteristics and identification of high-risk features will help ensure optimal patient management. 

Knowledge of the initial management strategies for burn injury, the use of a consistent, standardised approach in determining burns severity and depth, and recognising potential complications is critical for patient survival.  In the management of severe burns with the presence of circumferential burn injury, an escharotomy is required to primarily restore perfusion and circulation, and in the case of thoracic circumferential burns, restore ventilation and oxygenation. 

Description

This resource kit provides healthcare workers with the knowledge of indications for escharotomy in severe burns including the critical procedural steps.

Learning objectives

• Understand the indications for escharotomy in the management of severe burns.
• Understand the procedural steps of escharotomy including identification of anatomical landmarks.
• Understand the clinical assessment and criteria following escharotomy to determine adequacy of torniquet release.

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