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Measurement of surface temperature as an aid to the diagnosis of burn depth
1Lothian Regional Plastic Surgery Unit, Bangour Hospital, UK.
Abstract:
In 60 burned patients, the depth of injury was assessed clinically, and then surface temperature measurements were taken of the burn and of nearby unburned skin. The final diagnosis of burn depth was determined by the time taken to heal or by the findings at excision of the burn. The temperature difference between burned and unburned skin correlated with the depth of the injury. Overall diagnosis of burn depth was 60 per cent accurate by clinical assessment and 78 per cent accurate by measurement of surface temperature. Accuracy was greater when burns of the hand, face and feet, and burns seen late, were excluded.
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01:22Burn Injuries
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