Burns can be all too common, often resulting from accidents at home or in the workplace. In many of the cases we see, burns can cause significant damage to the skin and underlying tissue. The damage caused by severe burns can only be addressed through reconstructive surgery. At Thrive Reconstructive Surgery, our surgeons have ample experience providing comprehensive care to burn victims. Our experience includes care for facial burns, burns to the extremities, and comprehensive care for full-thickness burns.
Types of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are classified according to the “thickness,” or depth, of injury to the skin and the underlying tissues. The term “partial thickness” indicates that the burn involves either part or all of the dermis, which is the thick layer of tissue directly underneath and supplying blood and nerve sensation to the outermost layer of skin, the epidermis. These burns may produce pain, blisters, swelling, or decreased sensation if essential nerve endings are damaged in the deeper layers. Burns that are classified as “full thickness”, otherwise known as third-degree burns, involve damage to all layers of skin including the underlying tissues, nerves, and blood vessels.
Plastic surgery plays an essential role in caring for the immediate and long-term needs of individuals who have endured partial or full thickness burns. Full-thickness burns always require surgical management, and some forms of partial-thickness burns may also necessitate the care of a plastic surgeon.
Caring for Burns
Immediate burn care by the plastic surgeon may involve various approaches depending on the extent of the injury. Most burns, especially those that are deep or full thickness, will require debridement, or removal of dead tissue, cleaning, and wash-out of the wound. It is the plastic surgeon’s job to then identify which areas of tissue have been lost and identify potential ways to reconstruct those damaged areas. Some strategies for management may include direct wound closure, skin grafting, tissue expansion, or transfer of tissue using flaps.
Vast Experience Caring for Burns
Thrive Reconstructive Surgery boasts a team of reconstructive surgeons who are well-regarded. We are committed problem solvers, known for accepting hard cases and complicated pathologies, and delivering outstanding results for our patients.
We understand that burns can leave you not only with aesthetic damage, but also with impaired functionality and limited mobility. Through advanced reconstructive surgery, we can provide you with full restoration, allowing you to get back to life as normal.
The surgeons at Thrive Reconstructive Surgery are proud of our track record in burn reconstruction for our patients. Learn more by connecting with our offices.