Radiographic goniometry of the PIP-joint: A reliable measurement method.

Introduction: Arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP joint) is a good treatment option for relief of arthritic pain. The angle of the fused PIP joint is considered important for postoperative digital function. It is therefore important to reliably measure the actual angle of fusion.

Perforator Mapping Practice for Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator Flap Reconstructions: A Survey of the Benelux Region.

Background:  Numerous new and novel imaging techniques for preoperative perforator selection in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap planning have been introduced. To what extent, these have been adopted into or replaced routine practice has hitherto remained unknown. The purpose of this study was to identify the currently preferred technique by reconstructive surgeons, the criteria that they regard as most relevant and what impact these have on the preoperative decision-making.

No efficacy for silicone gel sheeting in prevention of abnormal scar formation in children with cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Placement of a totally implantable venous access device in children with cancer often leads to hypertrophic scars after its removal. This study investigates whether the use of silicone gel sheets has a beneficial effect on scar outcome in children with cancer.

Methods: In a three-arm randomized controlled trial, the effects of use of silicone gel sheets for 2 and 6 months were assessed and compared with no intervention in children with cancer after removal of the totally implantable venous access device.

Skin stretching for primary closure of acute burn wounds.

Background: In burn care, a well-acknowledged problem is the suboptimal scar outcome from skin grafted burn wounds. With the aim of improving this, we focused on a new technique: excision of the burn wound followed by primary closure, thereby using a skin-stretching device to stretch the adjacent healthy skin. The short- and long-term effect of Skin Stretch was compared to split skin grafting (SSG) in a randomized controlled trial.

Objective color measurements: clinimetric performance of three devices on normal skin and scar tissue.

Color measurements are an essential part of scar evaluation. Thus, vascularization (erythema) and pigmentation (melanin) are common outcome parameters in scar research. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinimetric properties and clinical feasibility of the Mexameter, Colorimeter, and the DSM II ColorMeter for objective measurements on skin and scars.

Clinical effectiveness of dermal substitution in burns by topical negative pressure: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Previous research has shown clinical effectiveness of dermal substitution; however, in burn wounds, only limited effect has been shown. A problem in burn wounds is the reduced take of the autograft, when the substitute and graft are applied in one procedure. Recently, application of topical negative pressure (TNP) was shown to improve graft take.

Adaptation of the dermal collagen structure of human skin and scar tissue in response to stretch: an experimental study.

Surgeons are often faced with large defects that are difficult to close. Stretching adjacent skin can facilitate wound closure. In clinical practice, intraoperative stretching is performed in a cyclical or continuous fashion.

Collagen bundle morphometry in skin and scar tissue: a novel distance mapping method provides superior measurements compared to Fourier analysis.

Histopathological evaluations of fibrotic processes require the characterization of collagen morphology in terms of geometrical features such as bundle orientation thickness and spacing. However, there are currently no reliable and valid techniques of measuring bundle thickness and spacing. Hence, two objective methods quantifying the collagen bundle thickness and spacing were tested for their reliability and validity: Fourier first-order maximum analysis and Distance Mapping, with the latter constituting a newly developed morphometric technique.

Sustainable effect of skin stretching for burn scar excision: long-term results of a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Primary wound closure of large defects after burn scar excision may be facilitated by intraoperative stretching of the adjacent skin. In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), the effect of skin stretching for wound closure after scar excision (SS) was compared to scar excision without additional techniques (SE). Short-term results already showed that in the SS group larger scars could be excised in a one-step procedure.

Rasch analysis of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) in burn scars.

Purpose: The Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) is a questionnaire that was developed to assess scar quality. It consists of two separate six-item scales (Observer Scale and Patient Scale), both of which are scored on a 10-point rating scale. After many years of experience with this scale in burn scar assessment, it is appropriate to examine its psychometric properties using Rasch analysis.

Objective scar assessment tools: a clinimetric appraisal.

Background: Scars may lead to an array of cosmetic, psychological, and functional problems. Different scar features can be distinguished (i.e.

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.

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.

An objective device for measuring surface roughness of skin and scars.

Background: Scar formation remains a major clinical problem; therefore, various therapies have been developed to improve scar quality. To evaluate the effectiveness of these therapies, objective measurement tools are necessary. An appropriate, objective measuring instrument for assessment of surface roughness is not yet available in a clinical setting.

An overview of methods for the in vivo evaluation of tissue-engineered skin constructs.

Cutaneous wounding often leads to contraction and scarring, which may result in a range of functional, cosmetic, and psychological complications. Tissue-engineered skin substitutes are being developed to enhance restoration of the skin and improve the quality of wound healing. The aim of this review is to provide researchers in the field of tissue engineering an overview of the methods that are currently used to clinically evaluate skin wound healing, and methods that are used to evaluate tissue-engineered constructs in animal models.

A reliable, non-invasive measurement tool for anisotropy in normal skin and scar tissue.

Background: Anisotropy of the skin varies depending on different locations and pathological conditions. Currently, no reliable non-invasive measurement tool is available for tissue anisotropy. The Reviscometer is an anisotropy measurement tool that measures the resonance running time (RRT) of a shock wave.

Differences in collagen architecture between keloid, hypertrophic scar, normotrophic scar, and normal skin: An objective histopathological analysis.

Normotrophic, hypertrophic, and keloidal scars are different types of scar formation, which all need a different approach in treatment. Therefore, it is important to differentiate between these types of scar, not only clinically but also histopathologically. Differences were explored for collagen orientation and bundle thickness in 25 normal skin, 57 normotrophic scar, 56 hypertrophic scar, and 56 keloid biopsies, which were selected on clinical diagnosis.

Effect of platelet rich plasma and fibrin sealant on facial nerve regeneration in a rat model.

Objective: To investigate the effects of platelet rich plasma (PRP) and fibrin sealant (FS) on facial nerve regeneration.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized, and controlled animal study.

Methods: Experiments involved the transection and repair of facial nerve of 49 male adult rats.