When the skin is burned and depending on the severity of the burn, tissue will die, this dead tissue is called an eschar which is inelastic and can’t expand. When the burn is a circumferential (burned all the way around) second and third degree burn, eschar will form and with…
Also known as Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome is a life threatening lung condition in which fluid accumulates in the lung leading to low levels of oxygen in the blood. When a healthy person breathes, air will enter the nose and mouth passing through the trachea (windpipe) to reach the alveoli…
Treatment: Acute compartment syndrome is considered a medical emergency that requires immediate surgical treatment. The surgical procedure is called a fasciotomy which is simply done by making a long incision in the fascia to release the pressure building inside. Subacute compartment syndrome is treated surgically by urgent fasciotomy. Chronic compartment…
A compartment is defined as a closed space of nerves, muscle tissue and blood vessels. This space is surrounded by fascia (thick layer of tissue) that doesn’t stretch. When the pressure inside the compartment increases from any cause and if the pressure increases substantially, this may lead to the compression…
According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), death from fire injury is the third common unintentional cause of fetal home injury. As fire claims the lives of many people each year and destroys properties and belongings; Smoke detectors play a big and important role in preventing such…
When the skin is burned, contracture scars may form, these contracture scars will affect the range of motion in the affected area and one of the methods used for scar treatment is Z-plasty. Z-plasty is a surgical procedure used to improve the functional and/or cosmetic appearance of the scars. Cosmetic…
Keloid scar is a benign scar composed of dense fibrous tissue formed as a result of an abnormal healing process in response to skin injury, extending beyond the original borders of the wound or inflammatory response. There is little to be done to prevent them and even with its removal…
Trade names include Silvadene, SSD AF, Thermazene. Silver Sulfadiazine topical cream is a sulfa drug that is used in the prevention or treatment of skin infections in patients with second and third degree burns; it can also be used for other conditions that will be determined by your doctor. Silvadene…
Some burns can heal without leaving any scars while other burns can leave wound scars after healing. Among the factors that determine the formation of scars is wound severity, superficial minor burns leave no scars when healing while deep severe burns such as second and third degree burns may leave…
Skin graft is the process by which a non healing wound or a burn wound is covered by a piece of skin taken either from the patient himself/herself or from cadavers or animls. this procedure is done surgically. Skin graft is either used a temporary wound cover or a permanent…