[Reconstruction in polytraumatized burn patients]

Polytraumatized burn patients represent a rare patient collective and necessitate an individualized treatment concept due to the particular combination of injuries.

Against the background of this special injury pattern, especially with deep burns overlying the fracture zone, the question of a specific and interdisciplinary treatment algorithm arises.

This article is based on a PubMed database search and experiences of a trauma center for severely injured burn patients at a university hospital, with presentation of the special therapeutic requirements and goals exemplified by a case report.

The evaluation of the literature search and own treatment results comes to the conclusion that the rate and extent of amputations and infections can be reduced by an early and interdisciplinary involvement of the plastic surgeon by early combined fracture stabilization, excision of necrotic tissue and immediate skin grafting. Furthermore, plastic reconstructive procedures enable a functional and esthetic reconstruction with optimized prosthesis fitting.

Polytraumatized severely burned patients necessitate an interdisciplinary treatment approach, whereby preservation of length, functionality and esthetic appearance of the affected extremities and concurrent avoidance of bone and soft tissue infections have utmost priority.