T31.7: Burns involving 70-79% of body surface

Burns involving 70-79% of body surface, as classified by the ICD-10 code T31.7, refer to severe thermal injuries that cover a substantial portion of the patient's total body surface area. Such a condition may be caused by different sources of heat such as fire or boiling liquids, among others. The prevailing symptoms include pain, redness, and blistering, but in cases of this severity, the patient may also experience shock due to fluid loss. The skin, which is the body’s primary protection against infections and fluid loss, is extensively damaged in these cases, leaving the patient highly vulnerable to infections and other complications. Furthermore, this damage extensively impacts the body's vascular system, complicating fluid and electrolyte balance, which in extreme cases may be life-threatening without swift medical intervention. The recovery and healing process is typically prolonged and may necessitate long-term medical and surgical intervention.