Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Escharotomy
Introduction
An escharotomy is a surgical procedure used to treat full thickness (third-degree) circumferential burns. Since full thickness burns are characterized by tough, leathery eschar, an escharotomy is used primarily to combat compartment syndrome. Following a full thickness burn, as the underlying tissues are re hydrated, they become constricted due to the eschar’s loss of elasticity, leading to impaired circulation distal to the wound.
An escharotomy is performed by making an incision through the eschar to expose the fatty tissue below. Due to the residual pressure, the incision will often widen substantially.
Physiotherapy input – move limb when bleeding ceases and aim to maximise breathing mechanics.
External links
- A basic primer on the procedure
- Journal of Burns and Wounds – online open-access journal featuring articles on burn care and related research
Template:Operations and other procedures of the integumentary system
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]