Early Sequential Excision of Chemical Burns - our Experience in Riyadh Burns Unit

This paper reports on the treatment of chemical burns in a burns unit in Saudi Arabia in the 10-yr period 1993 to 2003. In 1993, in line with new approaches, the protocol for treating deep chemical burns in the first 48 h was modified to employ sequential excision followed by a second-look approach after 24 h, at which stage autografts/homografts were effected, depending upon the extent of the burn and having ascertained that the wound was bleeding and that there was no necrotic tissue. Results have much improved with this new approach. Three hundred cases of chemical burns are reviewed. Early sequential excision is recommended, followed by immediate grafting within 24 h post-excision.