MICROVASCULAR PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF BURNED TISSUE*

Abstract

Summary Local microvascular disturbances in the injured tissue, as well as systemic circulatory changes, are described on the basis of studies in animals and in man, using vital microscopy, electron microscopy and microangiography. The structural and functional analysis covers intravascular shape and behaviour of blood cells, plasma rheology, endothelia1 and periendothelial ceilular changes immediately after trauma, as well as the later phase of repair and regeneration. The use of infrared thermography is described for diagnostic evaluation of the extent and degree of severe burns, even in large numbers of patients, and for follow‐up of the effect of local therapeutic measures.