Burns of the head and neck – from physiological to psychological impact

Abstract

Burn injuries have a long-term negative impact on patients, families, and healthcare systems, and prevention remains the primary goal. Head and neck lesions have a reported prevalence between 6-65.6%, sometimes even 95.1%. There are various risk factors and predictors of facial burns, like younger age, male sex, flame or flash burns, and work-related injuries. Surgical and non-surgical management is chosen depending on the burn type and extension, and the patients’ previous health status. Tangential necrosectomy is the gold standard of third-degree burn care. In the last years, enzymatic debridement showed promising results. Long-term complications, from altered sensibility, and face motor dysfunction, to hypertrophic scarring and mutilating aspects, frequently lead to depression, post-traumatic stress disorders, and social exclusion. To improve patients’ quality of life, various programs targeting reconstructive surgeries with cosmetic purposes, social skill training, and cognitive behavioural therapies should be implemented.