Burn and Scar Treatment: Modern Approaches to Recovery

Understanding Burns and Their Impact

Burns are among the most devastating injuries a person can experience. Beyond the immediate pain and physical damage, burns can lead to long-term scarring, contractures, and functional limitations that significantly affect quality of life. In India, burns remain a major public health concern, with thousands of patients requiring specialised treatment each year.

Dr. Prasanna Somvanshi, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Mumbai, has extensive experience in both acute burn management and delayed burn reconstruction. His training at the prestigious JJ Hospital exposed him to one of the highest volumes of burn cases in the country, equipping him with the skills needed to manage even the most complex burn injuries.

Types of Burns

Burns are classified by their depth and severity:

• Superficial (first-degree) burns – Affect only the outer layer of skin (epidermis). These cause redness and pain but typically heal without scarring. Sunburn is a common example.
• Partial-thickness (second-degree) burns – Extend into the dermis. Superficial partial-thickness burns form blisters and are painful but usually heal with good wound care. Deep partial-thickness burns may require surgical intervention.
• Full-thickness (third-degree) burns – Destroy both the epidermis and dermis. The skin appears white, leathery, or charred. These burns always require surgical treatment, including excision and skin grafting.
• Fourth-degree burns – Extend beyond the skin into underlying structures such as muscle, tendon, or bone. These are life-threatening injuries requiring complex reconstruction.

Acute Burn Treatment

The management of acute burns requires a multidisciplinary approach. Key principles include:

• Initial stabilisation – Airway management, fluid resuscitation, and pain control are the immediate priorities for major burns.
• Wound care – Regular dressing changes with appropriate topical agents to prevent infection and promote healing.
• Early excision and grafting – For deep burns, early surgical removal of dead tissue (debridement) followed by skin grafting significantly improves outcomes and reduces hospital stay.
• Infection prevention – Burns create a large open wound vulnerable to infection. Strict infection control protocols are essential.

Dr. Prasanna Somvanshi provides acute burn care at several hospitals in Mumbai, including SevenHills Hospital, HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, NH SRCC, MRR Hospital, and Sushrusha Hospital, where full intensive care support is available.

Scar Revision and Contracture Release

After a burn heals, the resulting scars can cause significant functional and aesthetic problems. Hypertrophic scars are raised, red, and thick, while contracture scars tighten the skin and underlying tissues, restricting movement – particularly around joints such as the neck, elbows, hands, and knees.

Modern approaches to burn scar management include:

• Scar revision surgery – Techniques such as Z-plasty, W-plasty, and local flap rearrangement can improve scar appearance and restore skin pliability.
• Contracture release – Surgical release of tight scar bands followed by skin grafting or flap coverage to restore range of motion.
• Skin grafts – Split-thickness or full-thickness skin grafts harvested from unaffected areas of the body to cover burn wounds or released contractures.
• Local and regional flaps – Healthy tissue from nearby areas is rearranged to cover defects and provide durable, flexible coverage.
• Free flaps and microsurgery – For complex defects, tissue from distant body sites can be transferred using microsurgical techniques to restore both form and function.

Non-Surgical Scar Treatments

Not all burn scars require surgery. Conservative treatments include:

• Pressure garments – Worn for months after healing to flatten and soften scars
• Silicone gel sheets – Applied to scars to reduce thickness and redness
• Steroid injections – Triamcinolone injections can flatten hypertrophic scars
• Laser therapy – Fractional CO2 lasers can improve scar texture and colour
• Physiotherapy – Essential for maintaining joint mobility and preventing contracture recurrence

Why Choose Dr. Prasanna Somvanshi for Burn & Scar Treatment?

Dr. Somvanshi's comprehensive training in burn surgery, reconstructive microsurgery, and scar management allows him to offer a full spectrum of care – from acute burn treatment to complex delayed reconstruction. His patient-centred approach ensures that every treatment plan is tailored to the individual's needs and goals.

If you or a loved one is dealing with burn injuries or burn scars in Mumbai, contact Dr. Prasanna Somvanshi to schedule a consultation and explore the treatment options available to you.