Answer:
The first debridement is often scheduled within the first 48 to 72 hours after admission if the patient's hemodynamic status allows it. Subsequent debridements are scheduled at 2 to 3 day intervals until the entire eschar is removed. Autografts, usually meshed and expanded four times will be used to immediately cover the debrided areas. If these are not available then cadaver allograft skin can be used. Regarding body area priorities, the arms and hands are often done first followed by the legs and feet as this is thought to increase the chance of preserving long-term function. The anterior chest and trunk are next followed by the back. Eschars of the face are debrided late, if at all, because skin grafts often do not have any better a result than allowing the remaining facial epithelium to re-epithelialize. The one exception is full-thickness burns to the eyelids which are usually excised and grafted as soon as edema subsides to provide maximal preservation of function and corneal protection.