[Follow-up of extensive burns in an HIV positive patient. Case report]

The case of a 33-year-old HIV-positive patient who suffered from second- and third-degree burn injuries involving 30% of the body surface is reported. She was treated by early tangential excision of the burnt skin and split-thickness mesh grafting. The burn wounds healed without complications within the usual time, with excellent cosmetic and functional results. In spite of the successful treatment, she suffered from fever and various infections for several months. With the appearance of these constitutional symptoms, we recognized the AIDS-related complex. Her general condition deteriorated continuously and 10 months after the accident she had to be admitted to a hospital again. The skin had nevertheless healed perfectly and in spite of not having compression treatment for the grafts or physiotherapy, she did not show any signs of hypertrophic scars. Some important conclusions drawn from this case are discussed. The fact that healing occurred without complications is in contrast to the results reported in the literature concerning impaired wound healing in AIDS patients with anorectal surgery. We therefore believe that the reluctant and perhaps even anxious attitude of the medical and nursing staff towards performing technical and expensive procedures in HIV-positive burn patients is not justified.