Der Anaesthesist
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Severe burn injuries are rare and represent less than 1% of all medical emergencies. At the scene of the accident self-protection is important. The progress of thermal injury should be stopped, while cold water therapy is usually not indicated as the resulting hypothermia severely reduces the prognosis. ⋯ Local or systemic administration of corticosteroids is not indicated. Transfer to a specialized burn unit depends on burn size and depth. Emergency room management includes stabilization of vital functions, evaluation of co-injuries and initiation of the specific surgical and intensive care therapy.
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Preoperative fasting aims at minimizing the risk of pulmonary aspiration. However, perioperative safety does not directly increase with the duration of total abstinence from food and liquids. The traditional principle "nil per os from midnight on", is based on insufficient data, overinterpretation and expert opinion. ⋯ This lack of knowledge is reflected by national and international guidelines concerning preoperative fasting, which mention the "patient at risk" without defining it exactly. Abstention from clear liquids 2 h before and of solids 6 h before induction of anesthesia, is becoming increasingly more accepted. Feeding babies with breast milk appears to be tolerated 4 h before anesthesiological procedures.