A retrospective analysis of early excision and skin grafting from 1993–1995

Early excision and skin grafting (EEG) is an established and accepted procedure for deep burn management. This is a retrospective analysis of 100 patients treated with early excision and grafting in burns of all types and up to 65 per cent TBSA. Excisional surgery was performed in the period from day 2 to day 7 post-burn in patients who did not have significant infection (<105) in one to two stages. The average mortality rate in all age groups and including smoke inhalation injury in our unit was 43.4 per cent. The mortality in the operated group was 10.2 per cent. The main causes of mortality were smoke inbalation injury, septicaemia (probably originating from the non-excised tissue) and extensive burn injury. The functional and aesthetic outcome in EEG patients was far superior in comparison with the conventional method of treatment.