Anesthetic management of the pregnant burn patient: excision and grafting to emergency Cesarean section

Pregnant patients with burn injuries present a unique challenge for general medical care and require special anesthetic considerations. A 21 year old woman at 28 weeks' gestation, who suffered 45% total burn surface area partial and full-thickness burns during a fire in her home, is presented. Anesthetic management included preparation and care during excision and skin grafting procedures, and during emergency Cesarean delivery. The management plan was developed by a multi-disciplinary team of personnel from the departments of burn surgery, obstetrics, anesthesiology, neonatology, and nursing.