Treating burn victims presents a range of different challenges that can be hard to manage regardless of treatment location.

Acute and chronic wounds often needs to be approached in different ways. A patient will often need numerous surgical interventions and dressing changes depending on the severity of the burn. An acute case will often involve different intensive care challenges. A chronic case is often accompanied by further disabilities related to scar tissue and contractions. Reliable anesthetic services is a vital part of treating burns regardless of the nature of the wound.

However, burns do not only leave physical wounds. Burn victims often suffer psychological wounds. While physical wounds require weeks and months to treat and heal, psychological trauma takes years to overcome. A comprehensive rehabilitation plan is often required to meet the many needs patients have.

For an in depth description on how to do reconstructive surgery in low- and middle income countries, check out Dr Eriksen’s chapter in the book “Global Surgery” edited by Hardy and Hochman, published 2023. For e-version: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-28127-3

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