Experimental study on thermal burns caused by plaster bandage.

Plaster bandage is frequently used in the field of orthopaedic surgery. Little is known however of thermal burns caused by plaster bandage. Experience has shown that heat producing levels differ depending on application conditions, i.e., water temperature into which plaster of Paris is dipped, thickness of the plaster cast, kind of plaster, etc. We made a series of experiments to find out what factors are related to elevation of the skin temperature in a plaster splint applied to a human forearm. The highest skin temperature of 47.7 degrees C was obtained upon application of a plaster bandage made of 30 layers of plaster with short setting time, dipped in water at 42 degrees C. In this condition the examinee had a first degree burn on the skin surface. Thus, care must be taken in applying a plaster bandage to assure that it does not cause a serious burn to the skin.