burn depth classification
Surgery and anaesthesia
Also known as: burn degrees · Verbrennungsgrade · Verbrennungstiefe · yanık derecesi · Burn depth classification (superficial to full thickness)
What it is for
Burns are classified by how deep into the skin the injury reaches; English terms and the German/European grades (Grad) map as follows:
Classification
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Superficial (first degree, Grad 1) | epidermis only; red, dry, painful, no blisters (e.g. sunburn). |
| Superficial partial thickness (second degree, Grad 2a) | epidermis and superficial (papillary) dermis; blisters, moist red base that blanches, painful. |
| Deep partial thickness (second degree, Grad 2b) | into the reticular dermis; blisters possible, base pale/white-yellow and drier, reduced sensation and poor capillary refill. |
| Full thickness (third degree, Grad 3) | through the whole dermis, possibly into subcutaneous tissue; white, leathery or charred, does not blanch, insensate. |
| Fourth degree (Grad 4, where used) | beyond the skin into fat, muscle, tendon or bone, charred. |
| Note | depth often evolves over the first days, and burn size (%TBSA) is assessed separately. |
Source
The evaluation and management of thermal injuries: 2014 update
Clin Exp Emerg Med 2014;1:8–18 (Kim DE et al.) — review
DOI: 10.15441/ceem.14.029
- Edition
- Standard depth classification (superficial, superficial partial thickness, deep partial thickness, full thickness); German grades 1, 2a, 2b, 3
- Checked on
Summary of the published classification in our own words. Not a substitute for the original publication.
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