Evaporative water loss from Burns, Grafts and Donor Sites

Abstract

In 16 burned patients the evaporative water loss of different areas has been regularly followed during the course. The measurements were made with an evaporometer, which measures the water vapour given off locally from the surface of the burned patient. Second degree injuries, not covered by intact blister epithelium, in the beginning, were found to give off more water than third degree burns. From the latter the mean evaporation was 20 mg cm-²hr^-1. Skin grafting caused immediate reduction in evaporation from the wound surface, but pronounced evaporation started from the donor area. From a practical, clinical point of view, we recommend that the blisters should be left intact as long as possible and that postoperatively in extensive burns the donor areas are covered by homografts to diminish water loss.