There have been considerable changes in burn care since the inception of th
e Adelaide Children's Hospital Burn Unit in 1960, resulting in a marked imp
rovement in both morbidity and mortality. A burn of 30% T.B.S.A. is no long
er considered life threatening, whilst a burn of 80% T.B.S.A. is now not on
ly expected to survive, but to have a satisfactory functional and cosmetic
outcome. An outline of these changes, as reflected in a review of 37 years
of care, is discussed with particular reference to the improvements in scar
management. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.