Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Evaluation of a cross-linked versus non-cross-linked collagen matrix in full-thickness skin defects.
Autologous skin transplantation is the gold standard for treatment of full-thickness skin defects such as deep burn injuries, but has the disadvantages of limited donor sites and donor site morbidities. Alternative skin replacement products, such as xenografts and allografts, are not a permanent solution. Numerous manufactured skin substitutes already show promising approaches, but have limited efficacy. ⋯ The take of all templates was complete, and all the tissue-engineered products accelerated dermal wound healing compared to the untreated controls, as identified by planimetric measurements. The higher collagen dose treatments and Integra®-covered wounds developed the thickest, cell-rich neoepidermal tissue in histological examination. The innovative biocompatible collagen matrix is flexibly applicable and modifiable, and offers potential as a carrier membrane for therapeutic supplemental products such as growth factors to further develop effective wound dressings.
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The first half of the year 2020 has been shaped by quarantines and lock-downs all over the world. The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a pandemic, that slowed down not only social interactions and economy, but also medical and health care. Governments and hospitals were forced to create ad hoc emergency plans maintaining the balance between an adequate participation in collective response of shutting-down to avoid a further spreading of the virus, while preserving the ongoing acute care and simultaneously being able to react to an imminent overextension with a collapse of capacities. ⋯ Particular attention has to be paid to attentive screening of patients and triaging of surgeries during the re-boot. The re-boot needs to be slow and steady to reduce the risk of an infectiological relapse. Once this pandemic is defeated, a careful re-evaluation of the different internationally applied strategies should be performed to be prepared for the future.
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Determination of the depth of burn wounds is still a challenge in clinical practise and fundamental for an optimal treatment. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) has a high potential to be established as a new contact-free measuring method in medicine. From hyperspectral spectra 3D-perfusion parameters can be estimated and the microcirculatory of burn wounds over the first 72h after thermal injury can be objectively described. ⋯ The depth profiles of the perfusion parameters show characteristic features and differences depending on the degree of damage. With Hyperspectral Imaging and the advanced data processing the perfusion characteristics of burn wounds can be visualized in more detail. Based on the analysis of this perfusion characteristics, a new and better reliable classification of burn degrees can be developed supporting the surgeon in the early selection of the optimal treatment.
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Observational Study
Factors associated with adherence to follow-up care after burn injuries.
In South Africa, burns result in excessive morbidity which can be mitigated via follow-up treatments. This study evaluated factors associated with care retention for after burn injuries. ⋯ High follow up attrition suggests the need for enhanced engagement in the high-risk burn population studied, and the identified factors could be leveraged in such programming.
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The Fear-Avoidance Model was developed with patients who had sustained neck and back injuries and describes a cascade of events after pain that is perceived as threatening, which may lead to avoidance of valued and meaningful life activities. The literature examining burn survivors suggests they may experience fear-avoidance, however, their lived experience has yet to be thoroughly explored and the evaluation tool that has been used is four items extracted from the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia that were modified for burn survivors, but never formally validated with this population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore, through a mixed methods approach, the lived experience of burn survivors with respect to fear-avoidance and determine whether the reduced four question Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (4TSK) reflects and accurately measures their experience. ⋯ Five major themes that represented the lived experience of fear-avoidance in burn survivors were identified: perceived vulnerability to re-injury, others as fear influencers, difficulties & hardships during recovery, engagement in activity, and active thoughts. Based upon the interviews researchers identified 9 potential fear-avoidant participants, which differed from the screening results from the reduced 4TSK (n = 12). Overall, this study demonstrated the potential uniqueness of the burn survivor population and provided insight into their lived experience of fear of movement or activities.