[The degrees of burns--classifications]

Since 1996, a new three-degree classification has been adopted for determination of the depth of lesions caused by the thermal agent, published in Bulletin N(o) 7, XLII, 1996 of the Ministry of Health. The present report is aimed at facilitating surgeons in its practical implementation by making a comparative assessment of the various numerical classifications, employed both in this country and abroad, and adapting them to the three groups of nonnumerical classifications. In the field of scientific communication between doctors from different countries, the numerical classifications give rise to confusion and on account of that utilization of the verbal classification for evaluating the deepness of a burn lesion is strongly recommended.