Facial burns management

Overview

Injury following a burn can be complex, with significant variation in both the aetiology and severity requiring prompt clinical assessment and management. As per any trauma presentation, patients who have sustained a burn injury are best managed systematically, with a thorough primary and secondary survey, including a focus on burn injury patterns, characteristics and mechanisms to ensure optimal patient management.  

Facial burns pose a significant risk of airway and inhalational injury which carries higher rates of patient morbidity and mortality. In particular, the treatment of facial burns often requires specialist care.  

Knowledge of the initial management strategies for large and severe burns (>20% total body surface area and full thickness burns) and using a consistent, standardised approach in determining burns severity and depth assessment and recognising potential complications is critical for patient survival. 

Description

This resource kit provides healthcare workers with knowledge and skills to effectively manage a patient with thermal facial burns.

Learning objectives

• Perform a structured assessment of a patient presenting with thermal burns.
• Understand the clinical features and risks associated with airway and inhalational injury secondary to thermal burns.
• Demonstrate the decision-making to effectively initiate management of a patient with thermal facial burns and associated inhalational injury.

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Further reading