The Use of Integra in Extensive Full-Thickness Scalp Burn Involving the Skull in a Child.

Extensive full-thickness burn injury of the scalp involving the skull is a challenge to reconstruct. Here, the authors report a case of a 6-year old girl who suffered extensive flame burn injury involving a scalp defect of 1,5% total body surface area. After necrosectomy, full table damage of the skull was observed with a partially exposed dura mater. Neurosurgical consultation was necessary to accomplish a vital wound bed. Subsequently, in the absence of enough adequate tissue available for flap surgery reconstruction, reconstruction was performed by using a bilayer Integra Dermal Regeneration Template (IDRT) resulting in a lasting and stable coverage of the defect. This is the first case-report describing application of IDRT on a full-thickness scalp and skull defect with exposed dura mater in a child. Our results are encouraging and demonstrate that Integra can be used in a child to successfully cover exposed dura when no viable skull remains.

Sustainable effectiveness of single-treatment autologous fat grafting in adherent scars.

Following severe injury, not just the skin but also the subcutis may be destroyed. Consequently, the developing scar can become adherent to underlying structures. Reconstruction of the subcutis can be achieved by autologous fat grafting. Our aim was to evaluate the long-term scar outcome after single-treatment autologous fat grafting using a comprehensive scar evaluation protocol. Scar assessment was performed preoperatively in 40 patients. A 12-month follow-up assessment was performed in 36 patients, using the Cutometer, the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale, and DSM II ColorMeter. The Cutometer parameters elasticity and maximal extension improved with 28 and 22% (both p < 0.001), respectively. Nearly all scores of the scar assessment scale decreased significantly, which corresponds to improved scar quality. In addition, the mean melanin score was ameliorated over time. Thus, we demonstrated the sustainable effectiveness of single-treatment autologous fat grafting in adherent scars, indicated by improved pliability, and overall scar quality.

Effectiveness of Autologous Fat Grafting in Adherent Scars: Results Obtained by a Comprehensive Scar Evaluation Protocol.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, patients normally survive severe traumas such as burn injuries and necrotizing fasciitis. Large skin defects can be closed but the scars remain. Scars may become adherent to underlying structures when the subcutical fat layer is damaged. Autologous fat grafting provides the possibility of reconstructing a functional sliding layer underneath the scar. Autologous fat grafting is becoming increasingly popular for scar treatment, although large studies using validated evaluation tools are lacking. The authors therefore objectified the effectiveness of single-treatment autologous fat grafting on scar pliability using validated scar measurement tools. METHODS: Forty patients with adherent scars receiving single-treatment autologous fat grafting were measured preoperatively and at 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome parameter was scar pliability, measured using the Cutometer. Scar quality was also evaluated by the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale and the DSM II ColorMeter. To prevent selection bias, measurements were performed following a standardized algorithm. RESULTS: The Cutometer parameters elasticity and maximal extension improved 22.5 percent (p < 0.001) and 15.6 percent (p = 0.001), respectively. Total Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale scores improved from 3.6 to 2.9 on the observer scale, and from 5.1 to 3.8 on the patient scale (both p < 0.001). Color differences between the scar and normal skin remained unaltered. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, the effect of autologous fat grafting on functional scar parameters was ascertained using a comprehensive scar evaluation protocol. The improved scar pliability supports the authors' hypothesis that the function of the subcutis can be restored to a certain extent by single-treatment autologous fat grafting. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Collagen morphology in human skin and scar tissue: no adaptations in response to mechanical loading at joints.

Dermal collagen displays a random-like structure that has a major role in strength and function of the human integument. It is hypothesised that collagen bundles align in a parallel fashion in the direction of mechanical tension during scarring, which may explain the problematic scar formation that occurs specifically at joints. Scar tissue and normal skin were biopsied from joints and control areas and evaluated by the Fourier analysis. Collagen orientation was represented by an index ranging from 0 (perfectly random) to 1 (perfectly parallel). Collagen bundle packing signifies the average distance between the centres of collagen bundles. No differences were shown in collagen morphology of scar tissue and normal skin between joints and control areas. Normal skin had a significantly lower collagen orientation index than scar tissue (0.26 versus 0.44, P<0.001). The bundle packing of scar tissue differed significantly from normal skin (18.1 microm versus 23.7 microm, P<0.001). Collagen appeared less parallel orientated in deep dermis compared to superficial dermis especially for normal skin (0.27 versus 0.33, P=0.06). Normal skin had a less parallel organisation in sections that were cut parallel compared to those that were cut perpendicular to the epidermis (0.24 versus 0.30, P=0.02). Collagen orientation of scar tissue is more parallel compared to normal skin. Morphology differs with respect to superficial and deep dermal layers and parallel and perpendicular planes, but appears not to respond to mechanical tension.

Perforator-based interposition flaps for sustainable scar contracture release: a versatile, practical, and safe technique.

BACKGROUND: Problematic scar contractures are frequently observed following extensive (burn) wounds. In this study, the authors investigated the applicability of islanded and nonislanded perforator-based interposition flaps as a technique for release of scar contracture. METHODS: Patients requiring surgery for scar contracture release were included. Preoperatively, a suitable perforator was identified by color Doppler sonography. The flap design was tailored according to the localization of this perforator and the anticipated defect. Flap measurements were obtained intraoperatively and at follow-up. Supple scar tissue was included in the flap design when necessary, to increase the applicability of this concept in extensively burned patients. Flaps were converted into island flaps on indication to circumvent significant kinking of the flap base and compromised tissue perfusion. RESULTS: Twenty-two flaps were performed, of which four were converted into island flaps. All flaps survived, but in four cases necrosis of the tip was observed. After a mean follow-up of 7.8 months, the width and surface area of the flaps had expanded to 123 percent (range, 40 to 311 percent) and 116 percent (range, 60 to 246 percent), respectively. One flap was converted into a full-thickness graft during the initial operation. CONCLUSIONS: This concept of perforator-based interposition flaps was found to be a reliable and versatile technique for broad scar contractures. Moreover, it allows intraoperative tailoring, as the flap base can be islanded when indicated. Nevertheless, additional venous outflow is warranted and operative time is saved if the flap base remains intact.

Efficacy of skin stretching for burn scar excision: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Burn survivors are frequently faced with disfiguring scars. Various techniques exist to improve scar appearance, such as laser treatment and dermabrasion. Next to that, surgical reconstruction, such as scar excision is an option. This randomized controlled trial investigates whether a larger burn scar can be excised using a skin-stretching device for wound closure, thereby optimizing use of adjacent healthy skin. This technique may allow scar excision in a one-step procedure instead of two or more steps, which is necessary for serial excision and tissue expansion. METHODS: Two arms were compared: scar excision and closure by skin stretch and scar excision without additional techniques. The primary outcome measure was scar surface area reduction. In addition, complications were registered. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were randomized for skin stretch and 15 patients were randomized for scar excision only. In the skin stretch group, 10 of 15 scars were completely excised compared with three of 15 in the scar excision-only group (p = 0.025). In the skin stretch group, a significantly larger reduction in scar area was achieved: 95 ± 11 percent of the scar was excised versus 78 ± 17 percent in the scar excision-only group (p = 0.003). One patient in the skin stretch group and three patients in the scar excision-only group experienced partial wound dehiscence (p = 0.598). CONCLUSIONS: In burn scar reconstructions, a significantly larger reduction in scar area can be achieved using a skin-stretching device compared with scar excision with no additional techniques, without an increased risk of complications. It was shown that skin stretching is of added value for scars that cannot be excised in a one-step procedure.