Dr. Marc Dolce's lecture on Burns and Skin Grafts is another fine example of podiatrists treating injuries using cutting edge technology. A burn is a thermal trauma to the skin. This is significant because the skin protects our internal environment and body structures from physical trauma as well as from invasions by foreign organisms..

Dr. Dolce familiarizes us with a new classification system for burns. This new system more clearly defines the extent to which the burn has affected the skin. "Partial thickness superficial" (1st degree) describes a burn that only affects the epidermis. "Partial thickness deep" (2nd degree) describes a burn that affects the epidermis and part of the dermis. A "full thickness" (3rd degree) burn includes the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue.

The four Principles of Wound Care are discussed:

1. Proper diagnosis/evaluation
2. Immediate use of measures to lessen the effects of the burn by removing the caustic agent and cooling the area
3. Protect and close the wound
4. Rehabilitate properly

Dr. Dolce takes us through proper burn management...Cooling the area with sterile saline, washing the burn with soap and water, then applying topical creams such as Silvadene, which will suffice for simple partial thickness burns.When treating advanced, full thickness burns, the astute physician must be familiar with appropriate lab values, tetanus prophylaxis, fluid replacement (to prevent hypovolemic shock), the potential need for escharotomy and temporary skin coverage with xenografts. Proper antibiotic coverage is imperative in treating all burns. Become familiar with Baxter?s rule , the Zone of Coagulation, and the Rule of Nines. Learn why full thickness burns are typically painless. See how compressive garments benefit the rehabilitative process.