Innovative surgical management of large burn wounds in patients with elevated body weight to enhance team safety

Abstract

Over the past four decades, obesity rates in the United States have consistently increased, with current estimates indicating that over 42% of adults are affected [1]. In contrast, burn injuries have decreased significantly during the same period, largely due to effective public awareness campaigns and improvements of safety regulations [2]. Despite these opposing trends, the percentage of burn patients at the author’s hospital with a concurrent diagnosis of obesity has risen, posing unique challenges for clinical providers. Patients with elevated body weight and extensive burns require special considerations for proper positioning, wound exposure, and minimizing ergonomic risks to healthcare workers [3]. Currently, there is a notable lack of comprehensive guidelines on operative strategies specifically tailored for this patient population. In response to this knowledge gap, the authors’ institution implemented novel surgical techniques designed to manage circumferential burn wounds in patients with higher body weight.