Use of negative pressure wound therapy in burn patients.

According to previous research, adjunctive negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) can help manage infected wounds when applied along with appropriate debridement and antibiotic therapy as deemed clinically relevant. NPWT not only removes fluid, and reduces oedema, but also promotes perfusion around the wounds. In addition, NPWT may lead to improved graft fixation when used as a bolster, especially in patients who are less compliant or have poor graft fixation that result from using traditional methods. NPWT is a good choice to bolster skin grafts in young, active and less-compliant patients. We propose an enhanced segmental compartment-covered technique, which uses NPWT adjunctively as first-line wound treatment to help manage postoperative infection. Moreover, NPWT promotes granulation tissue formation to prepare the wound bed for subsequent skin graft and may be used as a bolster over the graft, which helps to attain skin graft viability.

Injectable adipose tissue combined with stem cells for soft-tissue augmentation: A pilot study for dental applications.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Bone resorption and soft-tissue defects are the typical physiologic responses after tooth extraction. Various dental ridge augmentation techniques have been applied and lack of the soft tissue is the major factor causing the failure. We propose that the adipose-derived stem cell can be useful in soft-tissue augmentation in dental applications. The objective of this study was to optimize the operation procedures for the isolation of adipose stem cells and tissues. Accelerated clinical protocols for effective transplantation of adipose tissue with high amount of adipose stem cells shall be developed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Operation parameters were designed and optimized for the extraction of adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular cells. The optimized accelerated procedure was washing the lipoaspirate samples one time. Collagenase was then added and samples were incubated in a water bath for 30 minutes at 37°C and centrifuged at 1200g for 3 minutes. A mouse animal model was applied to evaluate the soft-tissue-filling effects using the optimized procedure. RESULTS: The animal model tests demonstrated the filling and regeneration of the soft tissues with significant angiogenesis. CONCLUSION: This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of soft-tissue augmentation applications.

Evaluation of Wound Healing Efficacy of an Antimicrobial Spray Dressing at Skin Donor Sites.

INTRODUCTION: Autologous skin transplantation is a common treatment for patients with full-thickness burns. Postoperative wound care is essential for skin graft donor and recipient sites, but traditional wound dressings such as cotton and gauze do not form an effective barrier to bacteria, and patients can feel uncomfortable when replacing dressings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The goal of this study was to evaluate the use of an antimicrobial spray dressing (JUC Spray Dressing, NMS Technologies Co Ltd, Nanjing, China), with respect to its antimicrobial efficiency and the degree of pain experienced by patients. RESULTS: The authors found the antimicrobial spray can reduce pain during the recovery period, while providing equivalent antibacterial protection to the control treatment (AQUACEL Hydrofiber Wound Dressing, ConvaTec, Bridgewater, NJ) based on skin culture tests. The spray did not adversely affect the wound site recovery. No significant side effects were present during the treatment period. CONCLUSION: This antimicrobial spray could potentially be used in wound dressing applications.

Using an external soft tissue expander before autologous fat grafting for non-irradiated breast reconstruction.

Autologous fat grafting is a method that has been used for breast augmentation since last century. This case report presents a woman with non-irradiated breast requested autologous fat grafting after modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer. An external soft tissue expander was used before fat grafting. This innovative technique showed benefits for the patient, with tight skin after the operation.

Deep sole burns in several participants in a traditional festival of the firewalking ceremony in Kee-lung, Taiwan--clinical experiences and prevention strategies.

PURPOSE: Firewalking is a common Taoist cleansing ceremony in Taiwan, but burns associated with the practice have rarely been reported. We analyzed the patients with plantar burns from one firewalking ceremony. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In one firewalking ceremony, 12 Taoist disciples suffered from contact burns to the soles of their feet while walking over burning coals. Eight of them had at least second-degree burns over areas larger than 1% of their total body surface areas (TBSAs). The age, sex, medical history, date of injury, time taken to traverse the fire pit, depth and TBSA of the burns, treatment, length of stay, and outcome were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Deep, disseminated second- to third-degree burns were noted and healing took as long as three weeks in some patients. Because disseminated hypertrophic scars form after burns, the soles involved regain much of their tensile strength while walking. The patients experienced only a few difficulties in their daily lives three months after injury. CONCLUSION: From our experience treating patients with deep disseminated second- to third-degree plantar burns caused by firewalking, we conclude that they should be treated conservatively, with secondary healing rather than a skin graft.