SURGERY FOR BURNS AT SUDEEP HOSPITAL

Scald burns occur when hot liquids or steam come into contact with the skin, resulting in tissue damage. These burns can range from mild to severe, depending on the temperature of the liquid or steam and the duration of exposure.
Scald burns are classified into three degrees based on their severity:
• First-degree burns: These burns affect only the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) and are characterized by redness, pain, and mild swelling. They generally heal within a week without scarring.
• Second-degree burns: These burns affect both the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) and the underlying layer (dermis). They cause redness, blistering, intense pain, and swelling. Healing may take several weeks, and there is a risk of scarring.
• Third-degree burns: These burns extend through all layers of the skin and can damage deeper tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and bones. They may appear white, brown, or black and are often painless due to nerve damage. Third-degree burns require immediate medical attention and often necessitate surgical intervention and specialized care to promote healing.

Flame burns occur when the skin comes into direct contact with fire or a hot flame. These burns can be caused by various incidents, including house fires, explosions, or accidents involving open flames.

Electric burns occur when the skin comes into contact with an electrical source, such as an electrical outlet, live wire, or lightning. These burns can range from mild to severe, depending on factors such as the voltage of the electrical current, the duration of contact, and the pathway of the current through the body.

Chemical burns occur when the skin or mucous membranes come into contact with chemicals that cause tissue damage. These burns can range from mild to severe, depending on factors such as the type of chemical, concentration, duration of exposure, and the area of the body affected.

Hypertrophic scars can develop following a burn injury. They are a type of raised and thickened scar that forms as a natural part of the healing process.

When the skin experiences a burn injury, the body initiates a healing response that involves the production of collagen fibers. In hypertrophic scars, an excessive amount of collagen is produced during the healing process, leading to the formation of raised, red or pink, and thickened scars.

Contractures refer to the permanent shortening and tightening of muscles, tendons, or other soft tissues, leading to limited joint mobility. They can occur as a result of various factors, including prolonged immobilization, scar tissue formation, burns, trauma, or certain medical conditions.

Following injuries, surgeries, or burns, the formation of scar tissue can lead to contractures if the scar tissue affects the normal mobility of the surrounding tissues and joints. Severe burns can cause the skin to contract during the healing process, leading to tightness and limited movement in the affected area.