The burned hand: a planned treatment program.

A planned treatment program for burned hands has been developed and was used in 72 burns of the dorsum of the hands. Treatment was individualized on the basis of whether hand burns were superficial or deep. In the former, there was evidence of spontaneous reepithelialization within 14 to 21 days. In the latter, immediate or delayed excision, followed by resurfacing with autografts was done. Both groups received topical antibiotic creaming, elevation, an exercise program as soon as they were able, and splinting of the burned hand in the antideformity position. Hypertrophic scars and unacceptable epithelium were excised when they interfered with function. Initially, this program allowed us to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures in 94% of the second-degree burns of the dorsum of the hand. The third-degree burned hand needed excision and autografting in 100% of the burned hands. This treatment program has as its goals: prevention of deformity by early motion and protection of the unburned and regenerating epithelium by creaming with topical antibiotic ointment.