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Dressings used to manage donor site wounds (DSWs) have up to 40% of patients experiencing complications that may cause suboptimal scarring. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of a portable electrospun nanofibrous matrix that provides contactless management of DSWs compared with standard dressing techniques. This study included adult patients who underwent an excised split-thickness skin graft (STSG) with a DSW area of 10 to 200 cm2. Patients were allocated into two groups; ie, the nanofiber group managed with a nanofibrous polymer-based matrix, and the control group managed using the standard of care such as Jelonet® or Biatain® Ibu dressing. Primary outcomes were postoperative dermal healing efficacy assessed by Draize scores. The time to complete re-epithelialization was also recorded. Secondary outcomes included postoperative adverse events, pain, and infections during the first 21 days and extended 12-month follow-up. The itching and scarring were recorded during the extended follow-up (months 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12) using Numerical-Analogue-Score and Vancouver scores, respectively. The nanofiber and control groups included 21 and 20 patients, respectively. The Draize dermal irritation scores were significantly lower in the nanofiber vs control group (Z = −2.509; P = .028) on the first postoperative day but became similar afterward (Z ≥ −1.62; P ≥ .198). In addition, the average time to re-epithelialization was similar in the nanofiber (17.9 ± 4.4 days) and control group (18.3 ± 4.5 days; Z = −0.299; P = .764), so were postoperative adverse events, pain, and infection incidence, itching and scarring. The safety and efficacy of electrospun nanofibrous matrix are similar to standard wound care allowing its use as an alternative donor site dressing following the STSG excision.

Split-thickness skin grafting remains a fundamental treatment for patients with deep burns and other traumatic injuries. Unfortunately, the donor site wound that remains after split skin graft (SSG) harvesting may also cause problems for the patient; they can lead to discomfort and scars with a poor cosmetic outcome. Regrafting of the donor site is one of the methods described to improve donor site healing and scarring. In this report, we describe a case of a 26-year-old woman with a self-inflicted chemical burn (0.5% TBSA) who underwent split skin grafting. During surgery, only part of the donor site was regrafted with split skin graft remnants. This part healed faster and had a better scar quality at 3 months postsurgery. Nevertheless, the appearance and patients’ opinion on the regrafted part deteriorated after 12 months. With this case report, we aim to create awareness of the long-term consequences of regrafting, which may differ from short-time results. Patients expected to have poor reepithelialization potential may benefit from regrafting of the SSG on the donor site. But in healthy young individuals, timewise there would be no benefit since it can lead to an aesthetically displeasing result.

Prospero CRD42017070990.

Introduction The optimal therapy for deep burn wounds is based on the principle of rapid necrectomy and coverage in order to achieve healing that is as scar-free as possible. The available infrastructure and the patient’s condition represent limitations. With enzymatic debridement, selective bedside debridement can now be performed, however the optimal cover after enzymatic debridement has not been elucidated to date. In this study we compare superficial dermal and deep dermal wounds, which are either covered with lactic acid membrane, piscine skin, or split-thickness skin graft. To validate our approach the healed burn wounds were examined for objective (elasticity, water content, sebum, wound healing) and subjective skin quality as part of our standard follow-up care. Methods In this study, 12 patients who had received piscine skin, lactic acid membrane, or split-thickness skin graft after enzymatic debridement were retrospectively examined objectively and subjectively for scar quality as part of follow-up care 12 months after the accident. The wound healing process was also documented. Results Acceleration of wound healing was observed with the application of piscine skin vs split-thickness skin graft or lactic acid membrane. Skin elasticity was comparable to that of split-thickness skin graft but significantly better than lactic acid membrane. The sebum production in wounds treated with piscine skin was higher compared to lactic acid membrane covered wounds. The water storage capacity in the piscine skin treated wounds was also significantly higher than in lactic acid membrane or split-thickness skin graft treated wounds. Using the POSAS score, an improvement in elasticity, thickness, pigmentation, and relief was shown in piscine skin treated wounds, as well as a reduction in pain and itching, compared to split-thickness skin graft or lactic acid membrane. Conclusions The use of intact piscine skin immediately following enzymatic debridement in burn wounds results in faster wound healing and better patient outcomes compared to split-thickness skin graft or lactic acid membrane.

Introduction Skin graft meshing is frequently used to allow coverage of extensive wound areas, reduction of donor site size, and prevention of fluid accumulation underneath the skin graft. Meshers allow for various ratios to be used but no studies have confirmed the accuracy of the mesh ratio provided by the manufacturers. The objective of this study was to measure the true mesh ratio achieved using some of the most commonly used skin meshers. Methods A prospective cohort study was performed in 2019. The true expansion ratio was calculated for standardized human split-thickness skin grafts (4x4cm harvested 0.0012in depth using an air dermatome) of the most commonly used meshing ratios (1:1, 1:5:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, and 6:1). Results We had a total of 18 patients resulting in 86 measurements. The study population consisted of 12 males and 6 females; 89% white, 11% non-white; average age of 43 years (SD 21.2). The true mesh ratios of 1:1, 1.5:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, and 6:1 meshers were found to be 1.20 (SD 0.14), 1.55 (SD 0.32), 1.68 (SD 0.32), 2.62 (SD 0.51), 2.87 (SD 0.92), 4.94 (SD 1.35), respectively. The percent errors were 20.2%, 3.3%, -15.8%, -12.5%, -28.3%, -17.7% respectively. Conclusions Mesh ratios of 2:1 meshers and above established by manufacturers are inaccurate. Therefore, overestimation of 2:1 meshers and above is recommended. We recommend an overestimation of 10% or more for meshers 2:1 and above. Applicability of Research to Practice This has significant applicability to practice as it can affect surgical decisions related to estimating the extent of donor area needed to cover skin and soft tissue defects.

Introduction As a verified burn center, we prepare for mass casualty & constantly strive to remain at the forefront of the burn technology & research. There was nothing that prepared us for a statewide stay-at-home order nor the hospital lockdown that would come with the coronavirus pandemic. The hospital lockdowns resulted in disheartening loneliness that would prohibit the visitation of family to the ill or injured patients. The difficulty of locking down well parents proved challenging. Our new hospital policy restricted parent movements & their anxiety of exposure also heightened the desire to discharge. We questioned whether the peds patient was better suited in the hospital or at home. This shifted our usual practice. During March-May, our hospital restricted parent movements out of the patient’s room, no visitors, no swap outs during the day. This resulted in early debridements, often at the bedside, & application of the polylactic acid polymer substitute. This allowed for a discharge within 24 hrs & return to clinic in 48 hrs. Methods We reviewed the charts of 10 pediatric patients that normally would have remained hospitalized pre-COVID & these patients were admitted underwent debridement & early application of a polylactic acid polymer skin substitute. The charts were reviewed to determine if there were any readmissions, ER visits, delays in wound healing, delays in OR time, if needed, opposition from parents or nurses from about readiness for discharge. Results The charts indicated there was one return admission. The readmit was from a planned split thickness skin graft & the polylactic acid polymer was used to stage the deeper area while allowing the majority to heal. Charts demonstrated satisfaction of the parents that didn’t want to be in the hospital during COVID. No nurses felt uncomfortable & all patients demonstrated stable vitals & good UOP at the time of discharge. This indicates several initial application on admission & was discharged within 24 hours. Conclusions This could at face value be a simple means to an end. The review of records indicates this was successful by most definitions of outcome. The limitation discovered was the ability to optimize outpatient therapy. Burns in the time of COVID, made use reexamine how we have cared for burns & whether there was room to perform more without an inpatient or a decreased inpatient stay. This change in practice also illustrated the ability to the wounds we initially thought may be deeper & possibly need excision actually healed well with no current development of hypertrophic scarring. Our institution will consider the early practice of debridement & lactic acid polymer application even when the restriction are eased. It also forced us to reevaluate how much we are grafting & reexamine what can heal on its own.

Introduction The collagen plus alginate dressings for donor sites have been used in our country since 2003. Before that, the use of rayon was the main and only preference of use. We were looking for something new at that time that could be less painful and maybe presented a good relation cost-benefit. This alternative dressing seemed to offer collagen to the wound so that the imbalance of metalloproteases would be reduced. We started a study to evaluate the use of collagen calcium-alginate dressing for donor sites. Methods A prospective clinical study was conducted for 2010 to 2017, when this material was donated (high cost in our service). Patients were selected consecutively and randomly allocated into three groups according to the treatment used on the donor site: rayon soaked in 0.9% saline; rayon covered with sterile cotton gauze and bandage; 90% bovine collagen with 10% calcium-alginate dressing covered with transparent polyurethane film. Following parameters was comparatively analyzed: pain, time to epithelialization, length of stay and costs. Results We studied 30 patients, ranging from 12 to 60 years of age. Fifteen of these patients had their donor sites covered with collagen calcium-alginate dressing, which showed pain reduction of 79.5% (p< 0.01) shorter hospital stay and epithelialization, average of 5.8 days (p< 0.01) and reduction in hospital costs about 47% (p< 0.01) in comparison with rayon dressing. None presented infection in the donor site. Conclusions Collagen calcium-alginate dressing showed better cost-benefit than rayon to cover donor sites, with significant reduction of pain, epithelialization time, length of stay and costs. Applicability of Research to Practice cost-effective dressings and painless dressings, Burn care units, Ambulatory care.

The present study was performed in China to compare the efficacy and safety of an advanced wound dressing made of crystalline cellulose (Veloderm) to a conventional treatment of three Vaseline gauzes in the management of skin donor sites of burns or reconstructive plastic surgery. In this prospective, multicenter, open-labeled, randomized clinical trial performed in three Chinese burn centers in China, 96 patients who required autologous split skin graft were randomized into either the test (Veloderm) group or the control (Vaseline gauze) group. Average healing times in the test group and in the control group were 8.40±2.90 and 8.92±2.58 days, respectively, with median values of 7.00 and 8.00 days, respectively: the difference between two groups was statistically significant (P=.045). Scores for exudates, pain intensity, and peripheral erythema showed no difference between the groups; however, composite scores of three variables on day 10 postoperatively was significantly lower in the test group (0.00±0.00 vs. 0.13±0.49; P = .043). The need for a dressing change was also significantly lower in the test group (12.5 vs. 31.25%; P = .036). Veloderm is a safe and effective dressing that may offer some advantages over the traditional application of Vaseline gauze in the management of donor sites in burn or reconstructive plastic surgery patients.

Cadaveric skin allograft is the current standard of treatment for temporary coverage of large burn wounds. Porcine xenografts are viable alternatives but undergo α-1,3-galactose (Gal)-mediated hyperacute rejection and are lost by post-operative day (POD) 3 because of naturally occurring antibodies to Gal in primate recipients. Using baboons, we previously demonstrated that xenografts from GalT-KO swine (lacking Gal) provided wound coverage comparable with allografts with systemic immunosuppression. In this study, we investigate topical immunosuppression as an alternative to prolong xenograft survival. Full-thickness wounds in baboons were created and covered with xenogeneic and allogeneic split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs). Animals were treated with slow-release (TyroSphere-encapsulated) topical formulations (cyclosporine-A [CSA] or Tacrolimus) applied 1) directly to the STSGs only, or 2) additionally to the wound bed before STSG and 1). Topical CSA did not improve either xenograft or allograft survival (median: treated grafts = 12.5 days, control = 14 days; P = 0.27) with similar results when topical Tacrolimus was used. Pretreatment of wound beds resulted in a significant reduction of xenograft survival compared with controls (10 vs 14 days; P = 0.0002), with comparable results observed in allografts. This observation was associated with marked reduction of inflammation on histology with Tacrolimus and not CSA. Prolongation of allograft and xenograft survival after application to full-thickness wound beds was not achieved with the current formulation of topical immunosuppressants. Modulation of inflammation within the wound bed was effective with Tacrolimus pretreatment before STSG application and may serve as a treatment strategy in related fields.

Marjolin's ulcers, or malignancy originating from burn scars, have been recorded in the literature since the first century AD (Ozek et al. Marjolin's ulcers arising in burn scars. J Burn Care Rehabil 2001;22:384-9). The majority of cases of Marjolin's ulcers occur in primary burn scar sites with few reported cases following secondary graft placement. We report a case of Marjolin's ulcer that developed in a 57-year-old man, 46 years after initial skin graft placement following a left lower extremity burn. The patient presented to us following diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the verucous type lesion. Wide surgical excision was performed and a split thickness skin graft was applied. The postoperative course was uneventful and no recurrences have occurred. To our knowledge, this is the largest reported Marjolin's case recorded in the literature.