Journal Review in Burn Surgery: Early Excision of Burn Wounds

In this episode, our expert panel dives into the critical, historically debated topic of early burn wound excision using a real-world case of a patient with massive surface area burns. We explore the dramatic shift from the pre-1970s "wait and watch" approach to the modern standard of early source control, backed by landmark literature showing reduced mortality and shorter hospital stays. The discussion also highlights the nuances of this timeline, covering specific scenarios where delaying surgery is actually safer due to physiologic instability, uncertain burn depths, or mass casualty events. Tune in to hear the evidence behind these clinical decisions and learn why modern burn surgeons believe that removing necrotic eschar early is the best way to dominate the day! Hosts: - Kathleen Romanowski – University of California Davis Hospital, Shriners Hospital Sacramento - Laura Johnson – Grady Memorial Hospital - Lauren Nosanov – Grady Memorial Hospital - Victoria Miles – Louisiana State University Health Science Center, University Medical Center New Orleans Learning Objectives: - Review the historical development of early burn excision and understand how these studies shaped modern burn surgical practice. - Evaluate contemporary evidence on the timing of burn excision. - Apply current evidence and clinical principles to operative decision-making , identifying key patient and injury factors that influence the timing of excision and grafting in patients with major thermal injury. References: - Thompson P, Herndon DN, Abston S, Rutan T. Effect of early excision on patients with major thermal injury. J Trauma. 1987 Feb;27(2):205-7. doi: 10.1097/00005373-198702000-00019. PMID: 3820353. - Gray DT, Pine RW, Harnar TJ, Marvin JA, Engrav LH, Heimbach DM. Early surgical excision versus conventional therapy in patients with 20 to 40 percent burns. A comparative study. Am J Surg. 1982 Jul;144(1):76-80. doi: 10.1016/0002-9610(82)90605-5. PMID: 7046487. - De La Tejera G, Corona K, Efejuku T, Keys P, Joglar A, Villarreal E, Gotewal S, Wermine K, Huang L, Golovko G, El Ayadi A, Palackic A, Wolf SE, Song J. Early wound excision within three days decreases risks of wound infection and death in burned patients. Burns. 2023 Dec;49(8):1816-1822. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2023.06.003. Epub 2023 Jun 15. PMID: 37369613; PMCID: PMC10721718. - Ramsey WA, O'Neil CF Jr, Corona AM, Cohen BL, Lyons NB, Meece MS, Saberi RA, Gilna GP, Satahoo SS, Kaufman JI, Schulman CI, Namias N, Proctor KG, Pizano LR. Burn excision within 48 hours portends better outcomes than standard management: A nationwide analysis. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2023 Jul 1;95(1):111-115. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000003951. Epub 2023 Apr 11. PMID: 37038260. - Hayashi K, Sasabuchi Y, Matsui H, Nakajima M, Otawara M, Ohbe H, Fushimi K, Ono K, Yasunaga H. Does early excision or skin grafting of severe burns improve prognosis? A retrospective cohort study. Burns. 2023 May;49(3):554-561. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2023.01.013. Epub 2023 Feb 3. PMID: 36774244. - Janzekovic Z. Once upon a time ... how west discovered east. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2008;61(3):240-4. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2008.01.001. Epub 2008 Feb 1. PMID: 18243082.

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Journal Review in Burn Surgery: Early Excision of Burn Wounds is an episode from Behind The Knife: The Surgery Podcast.

This episode is 22:27 long.

This episode was published on May 4, 2026.

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