The technique of late dermabrasion for deep dermal burns. Implications for planning treatment

Deep dermal burns can be induced to epithelialize rapidly, and, therefore, heal by abrasion at about day 14 after injury. Hypertrophic scarring does not occur after such healing. If necessary, meshed skin graft can be applied at operation. Reduced blood loss, safe graft-take, smaller donor areas and avoidance of unnecessary surgery are all advantages of the method and make it a feasible alternative to early tangential excision and grafting.