Cement burns and their treatment.

Twenty patients with cement burns presenting to Stoke Mandeville Hospital Burns Unit between 1981 and 1989 are described. They represent 1.8 per cent of the total adult patients treated at this unit. Fifteen (75 per cent) had surgery for full thickness skin burns. A questionnaire sent to all the accident and emergency officers employed within the catchment area of the Burns Unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital showed important gaps in their knowledge of the subject. It is suggested that further publicity be given to this uncommon but potentially serious injury.