Ravi Kumar Chittoria,
- Professor (Sr Scale), Head, Registrar (Academic), Head of IT Wing & Telemedicine & Associate Dean (Academic), Department of Plastic Surgery, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Jipmer Campus, Puducherry, India
Abstract
The prediction of the outcome of patients presenting with severe burns is crucial in guiding clinical judgments. There are multiple models for predicting burn mortality that have been developed over a period of time. Advancements in burn management over the past few decades have led to a remarkable reduction in burn-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Improvements in critical care, fluid resuscitation protocols, infection control measures, nutritional support, early wound excision and grafting, and intensive care facilities have significantly enhanced the survival outcomes of burn patients. Despite these developments, burn injuries continue to be a major public health concern, particularly in developing countries, where limited healthcare resources, delayed access to specialized burn care, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of awareness contribute to persistently high mortality rates. The disparity in outcomes between developed and developing nations highlights the need for effective tools that can assist clinicians in assessing patient prognosis and optimizing treatment strategies. Several burn severities scoring systems have been developed to predict mortality and evaluate the prognosis of burn patients. These scoring systems help healthcare professionals identify high-risk patients, facilitate clinical decision-making, and improve resource allocation in burn care units. Among these, the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) is a widely recognized and practical tool that incorporates key variables such as age, sex, presence of inhalation injury, depth of burn, and total body surface area (TBSA) affected. Owing to its simplicity and reliability, ABSI has been extensively used in clinical settings to estimate mortality risk in burn victims. In this article, we present our experience with the application of the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index in predicting mortality among burn patients. We evaluate its effectiveness, clinical utility, and predictive accuracy within our patient population and discuss its role as a valuable prognostic tool in the management of burn injuries.
Keywords: Burn injury, burn mortality, abbreviated burn severity index (ABSI), prognostic scoring systems, mortality prediction, total body surface area (TBSA)
[This article belongs to Research and Reviews : Journal of Surgery ]
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Research and Reviews : Journal of Surgery
| Volume | 15 | |
| Issue | 02 | |
| Received | 18/06/2026 | |
| Accepted | 23/07/2026 | |
| Published | 31/08/2026 | |
| Publication Time | 74 Days |