Question

A 5 year old suffers 20% burns to the torso. On examination, there is fixed pigmentation and the affected area has a white and dry appearance. Which of the following options represents the best management plan?

a. rotational myocutaneous flap
b. full thickness skin graft
c. excision and delayed primary closure
d. debridement and split thickness skin graft
e. excision and direct primary closure

Answer 1

The best management for a 5-year-old with 20% third-degree burns to the torso is debridement and a split thickness skin graft, as the burn cannot heal without medical intervention.

Step-by-step explanation:

A 5-year-old with 20% burns to the torso exhibiting fixed pigmentation and a white, dry appearance is likely suffering from a third-degree burn, which requires medical attention as it extends through the epidermis and dermis, destroying tissue.

The best management plan would include debridement to remove the necrotic tissue, followed by a split thickness skin graft, where skin is taken from an unaffected part of the body to cover the excised area. This approach promotes healing, as full-thickness burns cannot repair themselves due to the destruction of local tissues necessary for repair.