Establishing Level of Amputation in Severe Burn Wounds with Infrared Thermography

Resumen

Thermography can evaluate the depth of the burn with a high degree of accuracy. It can be used to assess the level of amputation in a patient who suffered severe burns in lower extremities. It represents a non-invasive imaging technique, with an interpretation in real time that can result in an early assessment in the need for surgery. A 21-year-old male patient was admitted in our hospital 6 hours after suffering a flame burn injury due to an explosion caused by a gas pipeline. Involving 50% TBSA, suffering 3rd and 4th -degree burns, affecting lower abdomen and extremities. Bilateral lower limb amputation and debridement was necessary. Before the amputation, an evaluation with infrared thermography was carried. finding significant decrease in distal extremity temperature, 10
centimeters above both knees. Making it possible to determine the level of amputation based on the decreased temperature of the lower limbs. Patients who suffered severe burns showed decrease in distal temperature (at least 6.2 ºC) compared to healthy skin. It represents advantages in terms of cost,
ease at use for clinicians, and because of its non- invasive feature is well accepted by patients. Thermography can inversely correlate skin temperature with burn
depth, as well as reduced vascular perfusion near the wound surface. In conjunction with a proper clinical assessment, it can be a powerful auxiliary study, when trying to preserve viable tissue, compared to clinical assessment alone.