Advances in the treatment of burn patients.

Over the last two decades burn mortality rates have declined (Table I) due to the development of new treatment modalities. The advances that have led to decreased mortality rates in burn patients have evolved from ongoing research of new therapies that improve long-term outcome. In 1952, a 50 per cent total body surface area burn victimized nearly one-half of young patients under 17 years of age, currently the majority of children survive this size burn and a 98 per cent total body surface area burn kills only half the young people who receive it'. An improved understanding of burn pathophysiology has contributed to improvements in fluid resuscitation, infection control, support of the hypermetabolic response to trauma, nutritional support, early closure of the burn wound and timely rehabilitation. These advances have all contributed to the improved longterm survival of severely burned patients.