Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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A prolonged and fulminant inflammatory state, with high levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators, is seen after extensive thermal injury. Blood purification techniques including plasma exchange, continuous venovenous hemofiltration, and adsorbing membranes have the potential to modulate this response, thereby improving outcomes. This article describes the scientific rationale behind blood purification in burns and offers a review of literature regarding its potential application in this patient cohort.
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Z-plasty is one of the most widely used techniques in plastic and reconstructive surgery. It is useful especially to release linear-scar contractures, yet difficult to use for wide scars. The aim of this study was to report on a new technique for the effective release of contractures for wide scars using reversed Z-plasty and its variations. ⋯ This procedure is useful and practical for wide-scar contractures.
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Traditional wound dressings, including cotton gauze, absorbent pads and bandages, can cause trauma and pain to wounds during dressing changes, leading to a variety of physical and psychosocial sequelae. The aim of this study was to adapt an in vitro model of adherence to evaluate the effects of various methods to theoretically reduce the adherence of wound dressings. Gelatin in liquid form was cast onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabric and allowed to solidify and progressively dry to simulate wound desiccation in the clinical setting. ⋯ As a long-term strategy for decreasing adherence, a thin layer of polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogel was deposited onto PET fabric via UV irradiation. This resulted in a much lower peeling energy without severely compromising fabric flexibility. This hydrogel layer could also serve as a reservoir for bioactive and antimicrobial agents which could be sustainably released to create a microbe-free microenvironment for optimized wound healing.