Skin-Fat Composite Grafts for Reconstructing Large Full-Thickness Skin Defects.

Background: The uppermost layer of subcutaneous tissue has a rich vascular network, the subdermal plexus and multiple perforating vessels in the interlobular septa. When skin-fat composite grafts (SFCGs) include this uppermost layer, they can be readily vascularized to enhance survival. The authors describe their clinical experience with large SFCG transplantations.

Immunohistochemical analysis of neuropeptides (protein gene product 9.5, substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide) in hypertrophic burn scar with pain and itching.

Background: Neuropeptides have been recently reported as having an important role in wound repair, and relief from pain and itching sensation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of neuropeptides on the wound healing process in hypertrophic scar formation that accompanies severe pain and itching sensation.

Methods: We collected forty-three hypertrophic scar specimens from hypertrophic scar release and skin graft under general anesthesia.

Clinical features and treatment outcomes of skin cancer arising from burn scar: a single-institution experience.

Aims And Background: This study was conducted to investigate the clinicopathological features and long-term outcomes of patients with skin cancer arising from burn scar (SCBS).

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with SCBS between January 2000 and May 2012. A total of 44 patients were enrolled in this study.

Clinical and histological correlation in post-burn hypertrophic scar for pain and itching sensation.

Background: Hypertrophic scar following a burn is caused by the excessive deposit of collagen resulting in an exaggerated wound healing response. The burn patient complains of pain and itching over the scar, which can give rise to cosmetic and functional problems.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and histological correlation of a hypertrophic burn scar for itching and pain sensations.

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.

Algorithm for Primary Full-thickness Skin Grafting in Pediatric Hand Burns.

Background: Pediatric hand burns are a difficult problem because they lead to serious hand deformities with functional impairment due to rapid growth during childhood. Therefore, adequate management is required beginning in the acute stage. Our study aims to establish surgical guidelines for a primary full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) in pediatric hand burns, based on long-term observation periods and existing studies.

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.

Expanded flap and hair follicle transplantation for reconstruction of postburn scalp alopecia.

The advent of tissue expansion started a new era of aesthetically reconstructed scalp alopecia by providing a large hair-bearing scalp area with acceptable hair density. However, residual scalp alopecia and wide visible scars still raised aesthetic problems. The hair follicle transplantation carries the possibility of producing a more natural scalp because both the desired hair density and the natural direction of the hair can be reproduced using this procedure.

Roles of spheroid formation of hepatocytes in liver tissue engineering.

The liver plays an important role in a broad spectrum of physiological functions and detoxifies endogenous and exogenous substances. The liver failure is associated with a high risk of mortality because it is one of important organs in our body. Various bioartificial liver (BAL) systems have been used for clinical trials as a bridge for liver transplantations in patients with liver failure.

The risk factors of psychosocial problems for burn patients.

Many burn patients experience psychosocial problems such as personality change, post-traumatic stress disorder, family trouble, and financial burden. The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors of these psychosocial problems that prevented burn patients from developing appropriate adjustments after burn. Six hundred eighty-six adult burn inpatients were interviewed.

Burns in epilepsy: seven years of experience from the Hallym Burn Center in Korea.

The objective of this retrospective epidemiological study was to identify the characteristics of burn injuries of seizure disorder patients in Korea, with the goal of developing programs to prevent or reduce the frequency and morbidity of such injuries. We reviewed the medical records of 34 acutely burned, epileptic-seizure patients who were admitted to a single regional burn center unit during the 7 years between January 1997 and April 2003, all of whom had been burned during an epileptic seizure. The most commonly associated seizure type was generalized tonic-clonic, followed by absence and complex partial.

Face burns caused by flambé drinks.

This study was conducted to identify the epidemiology of face burns in Korean adults caused by flambé drinks in the hope of developing preventive programs. We reviewed the medical records of 25 patients with burns caused by flame drinks that were admitted to the Hallym Burn Centre, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea, during the 30-month period of July 2002 to December 2004. The injuries occurred while drinking and spilling the whisky on the flame (68%) during the hours of social gathering and festivity.

Esthetic and functional reconstruction for burn deformities of the lower lip and chin with free radial forearm flap.

Burn injury often has produced deformity both of contours and cover in face and neck. Hypertrophic burn scar contracture of the lower face and neck is one of the most difficult subjects to solve because it produces problems with function and appearance. In planning the correction, the restoration of normal form and function is the best way in reconstruction.

Use of the artificial dermis for free radial forearm flap donor site.

The radial forearm free flap has been popular in many area of reconstructive surgery. Despite the many attributes of this flap in surgical reconstruction, one of the clear disadvantages has been the morbidity of the donor site. To solve problems associated with closure of the radial forearm flap donor site, the artificial dermis was used for better outcome in the donor site.

A retrospective analysis of 19,157 burns patients: 18-year experience from Hallym Burn Center in Seoul, Korea.

This is a retrospective, epidemiological study of 19,157 acute burn patients admitted to the Hallym Burn Centre, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea, during the period 1986-2003. The study was conducted to identify characteristics of burn patients that could lead to development of preventive programs to reduce both the frequency and mortality of burn injury. The majority of patients admitted had relatively minor burns, which were treated conservatively.

Paediatric electrical burn: outlet injury caused by steel chopstick misuse.

Electrical burn in children in compared with adults is rare due to less chance of exposure to electricity. Although studies have been reported regarding pediatric electrical injury, there are no reports concerning outlet injury, especially those suffered by placing a steel chopstick as conducting material into the wall socket. Steel chopsticks are widely used for eating food in Korea.

Diminished neuropeptide levels contribute to the impaired cutaneous healing response associated with diabetes mellitus.

Background. Patients with diabetic sensory neuropathy have significant risk of chronic ulcers. Insufficient nerve-derived mediators such as substance P (SP) may contribute to the impaired response to injury.