History of burns: The past, present and the future
Burn injuries are one of the most common and devastating afflictions on the human body. In this article we look back at how the treatment of burns has evolved over the centuries from a primarily topical therapy consisting of weird and wonderful topical concoctions in ancient times to one that spans...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Oxford University Press
2014-10-01
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| Series: | Burns & Trauma |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.burnstrauma.com/article.asp?issn=2321-3868;year=2014;volume=2;issue=4;spage=169;epage=180;aulast=Lee |
| _version_ | 1818843388181479424 |
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| author | Kwang Chear Lee Kavita Joory Naiem S Moiemen |
| author_facet | Kwang Chear Lee Kavita Joory Naiem S Moiemen |
| author_sort | Kwang Chear Lee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Burn injuries are one of the most common and devastating afflictions on the human body. In this article we look back at how the treatment of burns has evolved over the centuries from a primarily topical therapy consisting of weird and wonderful topical concoctions in ancient times to one that spans multiple scientific fields of topical therapy, antibiotics, fluid resuscitation, skin excision and grafting, respiratory and metabolic care and nutrition. Most major advances in burn care occurred in the last 50 years, spurred on by wars and great fires. The use of systemic antibiotics and topical silver therapy greatly reduced sepsis related mortality. This along with the advent of antiseptic surgical techniques, burn depth classification and skin grafting allowed the excision and coverage of full-thickness burns which resulted in greatly improved survival rates. Advancements in the methods of assessing the surface area of burns paved way for more accurate fluid resuscitation, minimising the effects of shock and avoiding fluid over-loading. The introduction of metabolic care, nutritional support and care of inhalational injuries further improved the outcome of burn patients. We also briefly discuss some future directions in burn care such as the use of cell and pharmalogical therapies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T04:57:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4b777c8b0a844fdda58ae3bc5ab985d5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2321-3868 2321-3876 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T04:57:04Z |
| publishDate | 2014-10-01 |
| publisher | Oxford University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Burns & Trauma |
| spelling | doaj.art-4b777c8b0a844fdda58ae3bc5ab985d52022-12-21T20:35:11ZengOxford University PressBurns & Trauma2321-38682321-38762014-10-012416918010.4103/2321-3868.143620History of burns: The past, present and the futureKwang Chear LeeKavita JooryNaiem S MoiemenBurn injuries are one of the most common and devastating afflictions on the human body. In this article we look back at how the treatment of burns has evolved over the centuries from a primarily topical therapy consisting of weird and wonderful topical concoctions in ancient times to one that spans multiple scientific fields of topical therapy, antibiotics, fluid resuscitation, skin excision and grafting, respiratory and metabolic care and nutrition. Most major advances in burn care occurred in the last 50 years, spurred on by wars and great fires. The use of systemic antibiotics and topical silver therapy greatly reduced sepsis related mortality. This along with the advent of antiseptic surgical techniques, burn depth classification and skin grafting allowed the excision and coverage of full-thickness burns which resulted in greatly improved survival rates. Advancements in the methods of assessing the surface area of burns paved way for more accurate fluid resuscitation, minimising the effects of shock and avoiding fluid over-loading. The introduction of metabolic care, nutritional support and care of inhalational injuries further improved the outcome of burn patients. We also briefly discuss some future directions in burn care such as the use of cell and pharmalogical therapies.http://www.burnstrauma.com/article.asp?issn=2321-3868;year=2014;volume=2;issue=4;spage=169;epage=180;aulast=LeeBurnshistoryfuturefire disasters |
| spellingShingle | Kwang Chear Lee Kavita Joory Naiem S Moiemen History of burns: The past, present and the future Burns & Trauma Burns history future fire disasters |
| title | History of burns: The past, present and the future |
| title_full | History of burns: The past, present and the future |
| title_fullStr | History of burns: The past, present and the future |
| title_full_unstemmed | History of burns: The past, present and the future |
| title_short | History of burns: The past, present and the future |
| title_sort | history of burns the past present and the future |
| topic | Burns history future fire disasters |
| url | http://www.burnstrauma.com/article.asp?issn=2321-3868;year=2014;volume=2;issue=4;spage=169;epage=180;aulast=Lee |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kwangchearlee historyofburnsthepastpresentandthefuture AT kavitajoory historyofburnsthepastpresentandthefuture AT naiemsmoiemen historyofburnsthepastpresentandthefuture |