Burn Wound Care: Opened Method vs. Closed Method

Opened Wound Care

The antimicrobial cream is applied every 12 hours and wound is left open to the air without any dressing.

Advantages:
The wound can easily visualized, easier mobility and joint range of motion, and simplicity in wound care.

Disadvantages:
Increase chance of hypothermia from exposure.

Closed Wound Closure

Gauze dressings are wrapped carefully from the distal to the proximal are of the extremity to ensure circulation is not compromised. The dressings are changes every 8-12 hours.

Advantages:
Using this method will decreases evaporative fluid, decreases heat loss and aids in debridement.

Disadvantages:
The disadvantages of this method are mobility limitation, prevents effective range of motion exercises, and limited of wound assessment.