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RACS ASC 2026
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Scars: The Role Of Chinese Medicine In Contemporary Burn Management
Poster

Poster

Disciplines

Burn Surgery

Presentation Description

Institution: Royal Hobart Hospital - TAS, Australia

Burn injuries present a significant clinical challenge, involving inflammation, tissue necrosis, infection risk and scar formation. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a complementary framework based on holistic, heat-clearing and toxin-expelling principles. Recent studies demonstrate that herbal formulations commonly used in TCM for burns and scalds possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and wound-healing properties, addressing multiple pathophysiological pathways (Liu et al., 2025). Clinical practice often combines topical herbal powders or ointments with internal decoctions and adjunctive therapies such as acupuncture or acupoint applications (Hoveidamanesh et al., 2024). These approaches aim to accelerate re-epithelialisation, reduce infection and minimise hypertrophic scarring, thereby improving functional and aesthetic outcomes. Emerging evidence suggests that integrating TCM with standard Western burn care may shorten healing time, alleviate pain and pruritus, and enhance scar quality. However, challenges remain due to heterogeneity of herbal formulations, variability in treatment protocols, and limited mechanistic understanding. Rigorous controlled trials are required to substantiate efficacy and ensure safety. Despite these limitations, TCM’s multi-modal and low-toxicity profile presents a promising adjunct to modern burn management. Continued translational research bridging TCM theory, phytochemistry and contemporary wound science is essential to establish evidence-based integrative protocols for optimal burn care. Reference 1. Liu H, et al. Pharmacological mechanism and research progress of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of burns and scalds. Discover Medicine. 2025; 2:225. 2. Hoveidamanesh S, et al. A review on traditional medicine used for burn treatment. J Burn Care Res. 2024; 45(6):1598-1606.
Presenters
Authors
Authors

Dr Ho Yin Kam -