Escharotomy

An escharotomy is a surgical procedure used to treat full-thickness, or third-degree, circumferential burns, in which both the epidermis and dermis, along with sensory nerves in the dermis, are destroyed, leaving a tough leathery tissue called eschar. As the underlying tissues rehydrate after such a burn, they become constricted by the eschar loss of elasticity, impairing circulation distal to the wound, and an escharotomy can be performed either as a prophylactic measure or to release pressure, restore circulation and combat burn-induced compartment syndrome.