Surgical Management of Complications of Burn Injury

Various surgical complications can occur in burn patients resulting from pathologic progression of the burn injury itself or from iatrogenic etiologies. Burn patients are at risk for potential surgical complications involving multiple organ systems. Complications requiring operative management in the setting of a burn injury are relatively common and can compound an already overwhelming physiological response. These complications are often unavoidable, and clinicians must be thorough in the evaluation of patients with a significant burn injury. This chapter reviews the frequently encountered nonthermal surgical complications in burn patients with respect to diagnosis and management.