The Burn Wound: Excision & Closure

Chapter 26 of Volume 3, Skin, Burns & Surgical Principles. Revision notes and examiner-style viva questions with model answers for the FRCS (Plast).

13 viva questions in this chapter

1. This is a scald to the trunk and thigh in a four-year-old, presenting at eight hours. How deep is it?
   Model answer for subscribers
2. This is the laser Doppler scan of that child, taken at 60 hours. Talk me through it.
   Model answer for subscribers
3. A 34-year-old with a 40% flame burn, intubated, day one. When are you taking him to theatre?
   Model answer for subscribers
4. 40% mixed-depth burn to back, chest, both thighs and both hands. You are in theatre. Where do you start, and why?
   Model answer for subscribers
5. Show me how you excise the back. What instrument, what plane, what endpoint?
   Model answer for subscribers
6. How much blood will he lose, and what are you going to do about it?
   Model answer for subscribers
7. Your ICU is full and your theatre list is cancelled. Is there an alternative to taking this 12% deep dermal burn to theatre?
   Model answer for subscribers
8. You have excised 20%. How are you going to close it?
   Model answer for subscribers
9. You have excised the back and you have no donor site left. What goes on it?
   Model answer for subscribers
10. Where are you taking the skin from, and when can you go back to the same place?
    Model answer for subscribers
11. The graft is on. How do you dress it, and when do you look?
    Model answer for subscribers
12. Day nine. He is febrile, and the wound looks different. Is this burn wound infection?
    Model answer for subscribers
13. 6% superficial partial-thickness scald in a three-year-old. What dressing, and what does the evidence say?
    Model answer for subscribers