Considerations on early surgery in the treatment of extensive burns

The results obtained with early surgical treatment of burns have been re-examined from various aspects. Early escharectomy, which tranforms the necrobiotic tissue into a surgical lesion, reduces the chemical factors of inflammation, lowers the lactic acid level and depresses the activity and disordered proliferation of the fibroblasts and the consequent laying down of immature collagen which is responsible for the pathological evolution of the burn scar. The removal of toxic material with proteasic activity, the reduction in the risk of sepsis, the saving of work for the immunopoietic mechanism, a reduction in the weight loss through improved nitrogen balance and an increase in the anabolic phase of muscular metabolism by early movement as well as a shortening of the period of hospitalization--all are factors in favour of the early surgical technique. Better healing is obtained by the elimination of the necrotic tissue, a reduction in the haematologic tissue inflammation mediators, an increase in the antibacterial defence following the reconstruction of the skin surface with covering materials and the rapid articular reduction; not to mention the inhibition of the formation of granulation tissue.