Burn Surgery at Stanford

Burn surgery focuses on treating acute burn injuries and restoring form, function, and comfort after the skin and underlying tissues have been damaged by heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation. At Stanford Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, our burn specialists provide comprehensive care—from emergency treatment to long-term reconstruction. Our goal is to minimize scarring, improve mobility, and support physical and emotional recovery for patients of all ages.

Stanford offers both acute burn care and reconstructive burn surgery. Acute care focuses on stabilizing the injury, preventing infection, and promoting healing through techniques such as debridement and skin grafting. Reconstructive surgery addresses scarring, contractures, and functional limitations through procedures such as tissue rearrangement, flap reconstruction, and laser therapy. Treatment plans are personalized based on burn depth, location, and patient needs.

Acute Burn Care & Skin Grafting

In the immediate aftermath of a burn, surgery may be needed to remove damaged tissue, prevent infection, and close wounds. Skin grafts—either partial-thickness or full-thickness—are commonly used to restore skin coverage. Regenerative dermal matrices, spray-on skin (suspension keratinocytes), and laboratory grown cultured epidermal autografts are used when necessary. Stanford surgeons use these and other advanced wound care technology and surgical techniques to support healing and reduce long-term scarring. 

Reconstructive Burn Surgery & Contracture Release

As burns heal, scars can tighten the skin and restrict movement. Reconstructive surgery helps restore function by releasing contractures, rearranging local tissue, or using grafts and flaps to improve flexibility and contour. These procedures can significantly improve comfort, mobility, and appearance, especially in areas such as the hands, neck, and joints.

Laser Therapy & Scar Management

Laser resurfacing and other non-surgical therapies are used to soften scars, improve pigmentation, and reduce pain or itching. Combined with compression, silicone therapy, and physical therapy, these treatments support long-term scar rehabilitation and improve cosmetic outcomes.

Common conditions and treatments include:

• Acute thermal, chemical, and electrical burns
• Deep partial-thickness and full-thickness burns
• Complex wound closure and grafting
• Smoke inhalation injury and carbon monoxide poisoning
• Burn scar revision
• Contracture release
• Tissue rearrangement and flap reconstruction
• Laser scar therapy
• Chronic burn wound management
• Hand and facial burn reconstruction
• Pediatric burn care

Stanford’s burn surgery team combines expertise in acute trauma care with advanced reconstructive techniques to support short- and long-term healing. Working closely with specialists in critical care, rehabilitation, dermatology, and pediatric surgery, we provide comprehensive management for even the most complex burn injuries. Patients benefit from state-of-the-art technology, microsurgical expertise, and compassionate, multidisciplinary support.

Your care begins with a detailed evaluation of burn depth, location, and healing progress. Acute injuries may require prompt surgical intervention, while long-term scar reconstruction is typically staged over time. Throughout your recovery, our team partners with physical and occupational therapists, pain specialists, and wound care experts to restore mobility, minimize scarring, and support your overall well-being.