Timing of the thermographic assessment of burns.

The thermographic assessment of burns using infrared imaging has previously been shown to be a useful aid in the estimation of burn depth. In this study, thermographic images of burns, obtained from 65 patients over a 4-year period, were reviewed. An infrared transparent, water-impermeable membrane was used as a wound cover to abolish evaporative cooling artefacts. Single images were obtained from patients with burns to various parts of the body, excluding the hands. A significant change in the temperature of deep burns was observed between days 2 and 3 after injury (chi-square, P < 0.01; Fisher exact probability test between days 2 and 3, P < 0.01). The results of this study suggest that thermography of burns, to assess depth, should be performed within 3 days following the injury.