Intermediate
Technical
IVT
full-thickness burn
Third-degree burn extending through all skin layers including subcutaneous tissue.
Full Definition
A burn injury that extends through the entire dermis and into subcutaneous tissue, fat, muscle, or bone. Full-thickness burns appear white, brown, or charred and are typically painless due to destruction of nerve endings. These injuries require surgical excision and grafting as they cannot heal spontaneously. The term has largely replaced 'third-degree burn' in modern medical documentation, though both terms may appear in clinical records.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenation required when used as adjective; modern preferred term over 'third-degree'.
In Context
- "The patient sustained full-thickness burns to 15% of the total body surface area." — admission note
- "Full-thickness burns of the dorsal hand required immediate excision and grafting." — surgical consultation
Also known as
third-degree burn
full-thickness injury
Contrasted with
partial-thickness burn
superficial burn
Don't confuse with
deep partial-thickness burn
fourth-degree burn