Burns of the upper extremity in children: long-term evaluation of function following treatment.

Hand burns in children represent a severe and possibly deforming injury. This study evaluated 82 patients for type of burn, prognostic indicators, and treatment as it affected function and appearance. The best long-term results were associated with small palmar contact burns, compression garments, early skin grafting except for the palm, and late surgical release of webbing. Range of motion of the joints in the hand and clinical function were related. However, hand appearance had no correlation to clinical function. Various combinations of infection requiring intravenous antibiotics, skeletal suspension failure, fourth-degree burns, and/or nerve damage were associated with poor results.