Investigations
Investigations which are useful in the assessment of a full thickness, circumferential burn include:
- assessment of distal pulses with a doppler ultrasound device; digital pulses may be the only ones accessible
- pulse oximeter reading: not entirely reliable due to vasoconstriction, but SaO2 values of less than 95% are suspicious of underperfusion
- pin prick bleeding:
- bright red flow indicates adequate perfusion
- rapid dark flow indicates venous obstruction
- sluggish bright red flow indicates inadequate arterial obstuction
- compartment pressures
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