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Burn wound excision and grafting is a common clinical practice that decreases patient morbidity and mortality. It is not known, however, if the salutary effects of this procedure are related to effects on interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-) α, and to reducing insulin resistance after burn. Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, burn, burn±excision groups. Rats in burn group were given a third-degree scald burn covering 30% total body surface area (TBSA) and no wound excision. Rats in burn±excision group were subjected to a 30% third-degree burn followed by complete excision and allografting of the injury site within 15min after burn. The rats in control group were treated in the same manner as the burn group, except that they were immersed in a room-temperature water. Glucose tolerance tests (GTT) were observed at 3 days after burn, euglycemic–hyperinsulinemic glucose clamps were performed at 4 days after burn and interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-) α were determined after euglycemic–hyperinsulinemic glucose clamps. The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α increased after burn. Significant differences in GTT were observed between control and burn groups, and the rate of glucose infused measured in burned rats was significantly decreased compared with that in control at 4 days after burn. Early excision and grafting significantly decreased levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, and further reduced insulin resistance following thermal injury compared with burn group. Conclusion: Early excision and grafting appeared to have an effect on inflammatory mediators and further reduced insulin resistance induced by major burns. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]