Burn Injury Treatments

New York City Burn Injury – Surgical Procedures
Debridement, Excision, Escharotomy & Dermabrasion

While victims of first degree burns usually do not require surgical treatments, patients who have sustained deep second degree burns and third degree burns often have to undergo several surgical procedures. Surgical burn treatments are designed to thoroughly cleanse the burned areas, decrease the risk of infection and prepare the wounds for further treatment. In severe burn injury cases, a surgical intervention might also be needed to fully assess the extent of damage and determine what type of treatment should be used. Some of the surgical burn injury treatments doctors use more often include debridement, excision, escharotomy and dermabrasion.

Debridement and Excision

Severe burn injury wounds are typically covered with dead skin tissue and debris from the accident. Removal of the damaged tissues and debris is vital in order to avoid infection. Burned areas of the body are especially susceptible to various bacterial and viral infections because they lack the most important protective barrier, the skin. Depending on the depth and type of the wounds of each New York burn injury victim, surgeons might use the techniques of debridement and/or excision.

During surgical debridement, the wounds are cleansed with sharp surgical instruments or a special laser. The goal of this procedure is to remove the dead tissues and blisters, which in turn decreases the risk of infection and prepares the wound for skin grafts, application of dressings and pressure garments, and other treatments. If wound excision is performed, the surgeon carefully removes thin layers of tissue until living tissue is exposed. This procedure is typically used to assess deep third degree burns and prepare the area for skin grafts.

Escharotomy

Recovery after burn injury is often lengthy and requires several follow-up surgical treatments, such as escharotomy. This procedure is performed in order to increase blood circulation to the burned area. As the wound heals, it often develops a thick, scabbed surface (eschar) that obstructs proper blood flow. In order to enhance circulation, the surgeon makes one or more incisions in the eschar. Escharotomy is also needed if the burned area swells so much that it restricts blood flow to the injured site. After making the incisions, New York City burn injury specialists carefully cover the openings with special dressings in order to prevent wound infection.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is sometimes used to decrease the prominence of burn injury scars, especially on the face, hands and arms. During dermabrasion, thin layers of skin are gently scraped off, smoothing the scar and improving the appearance of the surrounding tissues. While dermabrasion cannot fully remove the scar, it can improve the patients' appearance, thus also enhancing their self-confidence. After dermabrasion, the treated area might appear red and swollen for two to three weeks. Depending on the extent of scarring, several dermabrasion treatments might be needed to obtain the best possible result.

Legal Help for New York City Burn Injury Victims

Burn injury recovery often requires lengthy hospitalization, several surgical treatments, extensive rehabilitation and long-term pain management. As a result, New York burn injury victims usually incur large hospital bills in addition to financial damages caused by their inability to work, which might be permanent. The sponsors of this website, the law firm of Meiselman, Denlea, Packman, Carton & Eberz, are committed to helping New York City burn injury victims hold those responsible for their suffering financially liable. If you would like to discuss your case and learn if compensation might be available, contact their offices at (914) 517-5000.