Development in the treatment of burns in South America during the last decades.

The scientific approach toward the problems of burn treatment in South America started in the 1930's and was emphasized in the 1940's as a result of the positive influence of the Latin American Congresses of Plastic Surgery initiated in 1941. During the 1950's, as an appropriate answer to the problem, specialized burns facilities started to spread over the Latin American countries. Consequently, there was a progressive incorporation of very important advances such as a more adequate fluid replacement, early excision and grafting, enteral feeding, new topical antibacterial agents, a more appropriate approach for the prevention and treatment of infections, a better understanding of the smoke inhalation injury and better management of physical and psychological rehabilitation. Thus, during the past 25 years, burn care has dramatically evolved toward excellence. The Latin American Committee for Prevention and Care of Burns, created in 1964 was one important land-mark in the development of burn treatment in South America. The creation of Burn Associations in many South American countries was initiated in 1990, and culminated in 1991 when the Latin American Federation of Burn Associations was founded. These developments illustrate how the specialists in the South American countries have followed the tune of international progress. They constitute at this time, an important group of committed workers, not only to the treatment of burned patients but also to the scientific and academic side of this specialty.