Pathophysiology, classification, and management of burns

Abstract

Burn injuries are common forms of trauma in clinical practice and remain a serious public health problem because they can cause tissue damage, permanent disability, and death. These injuries result from exposure to external agents such as heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, or friction, which damage the epidermis and/or dermis and impair the skin’s protective, thermoregulatory, sensory, and fluid-balance functions. This narrative literature review summarizes the anatomy and physiology of the skin, the definition, epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, classification according to burn depth and extent, wound healing, methods for estimating the total body surface area affected by burns, principles of initial management, complications, and prognosis. The methods used to estimate burn extent include the Rule of Nines, the Pediatric Rule of Nines, the palmar surface method, and the Lund and Browder chart. This review was conducted using a narrative literature review approach based on an examination of relevant scientific literature. A comprehensive understanding of burn injuries is essential for health care professionals, particularly medical students, to facilitate accurate diagnosis, severity assessment, and appropriate management. These competencies may help reduce complication and mortality rates and improve patients’ quality of life.