Exosomes Derived from Hypertrophic Scar Fibroblasts Suppress Melanogenesis in Normal Human Epidermal Melanocytes.

Post-burn hypertrophic scars often exhibit abnormal pigmentation. Exosomes play important roles in maintaining normal physiological homeostasis and in the pathological development of diseases. This study investigated the effects of the exosomes derived from hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HTSFs) on melanocytes, which are pigment-producing cells.

Effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for burn scar regeneration: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded study.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the regeneration effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on hypertrophic scar regeneration using objective measurements.

Methods: This was a double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial of 48 participants who had undergone autologous split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) with same artificial dermis. The ESWT group (n=25) received shock waves with low-energy flux density (0.

Contracture of skin graft in human burns: effect of artificial dermis.

Background: Skin grafts with an artificial dermis have been widely used as a part of the efforts to minimize contractures and reduce donor-site scars. We conducted a prospective randomized clinical trial to study the effect of a dermal substitute by measuring the size of the graft after surgery for months.

Method: The artificial dermis (Matriderm, Dr.

Proposed treatment protocol for frostbite: a retrospective analysis of 17 cases based on a 3-year single-institution experience.

Background: This paper discusses the treatment protocol for patients with frostbite.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of a series of 17 patients with second- and higher-degree frostbite who had been treated at our medical institution between 2010 and 2012.

Results: Our clinical series of patients (n=17) included 13 men and four women, whose mean age was 42.

Correction of postburn equinus deformity.

Background: Equinus deformity is characterized by an abnormal tiptoe gait and does not allow normal walking, hence needing correction. Congenital causes of equinus deformity include neurological diseases such as cerebral palsy and poliomyelitis. Acquired causes include injuries such as extensive trauma.

Elbow reconstruction using island flap for burn patients.

Background: Deep burns of the elbow lead to soft tissue necrosis and infection, with exposure of deep structures. Adequate wound coverage of this area requires thin, pliable, and durable tissue, while optimal functional recovery requires early coverage and functional rehabilitation. We have found 3 types of island flaps that provide reliable coverage for the elbow.

One stage reconstruction of skull exposed by burn injury using a tissue expansion technique.

Background: An area of the skull exposed by burn injury has been covered by various methods including local flap, skin graft, or free flap surgery. Each method has disadvantages, such as postoperative alopecia or donor site morbidities. Due to the risk of osteomyelitis in the injured skull during the expansion period, tissue expansion was excluded from primary reconstruction.

Successful composite graft for fingertip amputations using ice-cooling and lipo-prostaglandin E1.

In distal fingertip amputations where microanastomosis may not be possible, composite grafting might offer the possibility of maintaining digital length and function using the patient's own tissue. Many trials such as ice-cooling, pharmacologic enhancement and hyperbaric oxygenation have been reported to improve the survival rate of the composite graft. Twenty-four cases of unreplantable fingertip amputation were classified as types I to III according to the level of injury.