Advances and perspectives on burns treatment

Abstract

Objective: To identify in the scientific literature the main therapeutic advances and emerging perspectives related to the treatment of patients with burns. Methods: Integrative review with searches in the BVS, SciELO, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. Articles published between 2021 and 2025 in Portuguese, English, or Spanish that addressed clinical, surgical, or technological treatments for burns were included. After screening 137 studies, 20 were included in the final sample. Data were extracted using a standardized form and critically analyzed for relevance and methodological quality. Results: Significant advances were identified in the treatment of burns, involving the use of autologous grafts, acellular grafts, cell therapies with keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and mesenchymal stem cells, as well as emerging technologies such as nanotechnological dressings, enzymatic debridement with bromelain, and negative pressure therapy. The data suggest relevant clinical benefits, such as accelerated healing, reduced pain, and improved scar aesthetics, especially when the methods are applied in an integrated and individualized manner. Final considerations: Burn treatment is moving toward a more technological, individualized, and efficient approach, although it still lacks greater clinical standardization and validation in multicenter trials. The innovations analyzed demonstrate significant potential for improving clinical and aesthetic outcomes.