BURNS TO THE GENITALS AND THE PERINEUM IN CHILDREN

Objective To determine the management of perineal and genital burns in children. Patients and methods Twenty-seven children (aged 6 months t o 12 years) suffering from genital or perineal burns between 1981 and 1995 were reviewed. Most burns occurred in boys (70%), were due to sca lds (85%) and caused superficial second-degree lesions (63%). The init ial treatment consisted of topical antimicrobials or grafting with all ografts. Results Spontaneous healing by conservative therapy, not earl y excision therapy, occurred in 96% of the patients. Contractures occu rred in two patients and were treated with multiple Z-plasties and cir cumcision. Conclusion The management of perineal and genital burns in children should be conservative.