Management of acute burn injuries of the upper extremity in the pediatric population.

Burns of the upper extremity occur frequently in children. Because of differences in development and anatomy, patterns of burn injury are different in children compared to adults. Immediate goals after these injuries are to prevent compartment syndromes and minimize progressive damage. The second decision is whether the burn requires conservative care or grafting. If the injury heals within 2 weeks, then scarring is minimized. If the wound has not healed in that time period, then grafting should be considered. Grafting techniques that optimize function and cosmetic appearance are outlined.