[Tetanus prevention in burn patients]

The pathogenesis of tetanus as a complication of burn wounds is discussed briefly. The two most important moments in local tetanus prophylaxis are careful cleaning and the removal of necrotic tissue. Passive prophylaxis with hyperimmune human globulin is useful but the aim is to extend active immunoprophylaxis to the entire population, since tetanus can present with only slight wounds or shollow burns.