3D PED BURN app: A precise and easy-to-use pediatric 3D burn surface area calculation tool.

Background and aimsCalculating the precise total burn surface area is crucial when treating burn patients, particularly children. The Lund and Browder chart and Rule of Nines, 2-dimensional diagrams that are widely used, are subject to high interrater variance, and they can severely overestimate the burn area. Previously, the adult 3-dimensional burn area calculation mobile application was developed. Aiming to improve accuracy, a 3-dimensional pediatric burn surface area calculation mobile application ("3D PED BURN") was developed to overcome the limitations of the conventional methods.MethodFifteen 3-dimensional pediatric burn surface area models based on detailed anthropometric measurements collected from 85 patients were developed and categorized into four age groups: ResultA precise and easy-to-use application was developed based on these data. This application is a promising and more accurate calculation tool for burn surface area in pediatric patients. Its low inter-rater variance makes it reliable for use by various healthcare personnel.ConclusionThe 3D PED BURN app is a pediatric 3D burn surface area calculation tool that is both accurate and simple to use

The masseteric nerve: An anatomical study in Thai population with an emphasis on its use in facial reanimation

Summary: Background: The use of the masseteric nerve has been escalated as a donor nerve for facial reanimation in facial palsy patient (Wang et al., 2014; Manktelow et al., 2006; Klebuc, 2011; Bianchi et al., 2012; Zuker et al., 2000; Bae et al., 2006; Terzis, Konofaos, 2013; Terzis, Olivares, 2009; Bianchi et al., 2014). Previous studies had been done in Euro-Caucasian cadavers (Kaya et al., 2014). However, difference in anatomical details does exist between Asian and Euro-Caucasian population (Tzou et al., 2005; Farkas et al., 2005). In this study, we have conducted a detailed anatomical study of masseteric nerve in adult Thai cadavers which might elaborate better details of masseteric nerve anatomy in Asian population. Methods: Twenty eight hemifaces from 14 adult Thai non-formaldehyde preserved soft cadavers were used in this study. The anatomical pathway of the masseteric nerve was defined relating to four surgical landmarks which are auricular tragus, zygomatic arch, posterior border of the temporomandibular joint, and alar base. Results: The suitable starting area for the masseteric nerve dissection is 3.7 ± 0.4 cm anterior to the auricular tragus at the level of 0.8 ± 0.2 cm inferior to the zygomatic arch. The nerve was found 1.1 ± 0.2 cm deep to the superficial surface of the masseteric fascia and 1.7 ± 0.2 cm anterior to the posterior border of the temporomandibular joint. The point where the nerve giving off its first branch as it courses distally is 7.3 ± 0.7 cm from the ipsilateral alar base. The mean diameter of this nerve is 1.59 ± 0.42 mm. Conclusion: The anatomy of the masseteric nerve during its course in the muscle is consistent. In our study, the details of its anatomy is slightly different from the previous works which were performed in the Euro-Caucasian cadavers. Keywords: Masseteric nerve, Nerve to masseter, Facial palsy, Facial paralysis, Facial reanimatio

Randomized Clinical Trial of the Innovative Bilayered Wound Dressing Made of Silk and Gelatin: Safety and Efficacy Tests Using a Split-Thickness Skin Graft Model

We developed the novel silk fibroin-based bilayered wound dressing for the treatment of partial thickness wounds. And it showed relevant characteristics and accelerated the healing of full-thickness wounds in a rat model. This study is the clinical evaluation of the bilayered wound dressing to confirm its safety and efficacy for the treatment of split-thickness skin donor sites. The safety test was performed using a patch model and no evidence of marked and severe cutaneous reactions was found. The efficacy test of the bilayered wound dressing was conducted on 23 patients with 30 split-thickness skin graft donor sites to evaluate healing time, pain score, skin barrier function, and systemic reaction in comparison to Bactigras. We found that the healing time of donor site wounds treated with the bilayered wound dressing (11 ± 6 days) was significantly faster than those treated with Bactigras (14 ± 6 days) (p=10-6). The wound sites treated with the bilayered wound dressing showed significantly less pain and more rapid skin functional barrier recovery than those treated with Bactigras (p=10-5). Therefore, these results confirmed the clinical safety and efficacy of the bilayered wound dressing for the treatment of split-thickness skin graft donor sites

Randomized Clinical Trial of the Innovative Bilayered Wound Dressing Made of Silk and Gelatin: Safety and Efficacy Tests Using a Split-Thickness Skin Graft Model

We developed the novel silk fibroin-based bilayered wound dressing for the treatment of partial thickness wounds. And it showed relevant characteristics and accelerated the healing of full-thickness wounds in a rat model. This study is the clinical evaluation of the bilayered wound dressing to confirm its safety and efficacy for the treatment of split-thickness skin donor sites. The safety test was performed using a patch model and no evidence of marked and severe cutaneous reactions was found. The efficacy test of the bilayered wound dressing was conducted on 23 patients with 30 split-thickness skin graft donor sites to evaluate healing time, pain score, skin barrier function, and systemic reaction in comparison to Bactigras. We found that the healing time of donor site wounds treated with the bilayered wound dressing (11 ± 6 days) was significantly faster than those treated with Bactigras (14 ± 6 days) ( = 10 −6 ). The wound sites treated with the bilayered wound dressing showed significantly less pain and more rapid skin functional barrier recovery than those treated with Bactigras ( = 10 −5 ). Therefore, these results confirmed the clinical safety and efficacy of the bilayered wound dressing for the treatment of split-thickness skin graft donor sites

The Role of Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy in Latissimus Dorsi Flap Donor Site Seroma Prevention: A Cohort Study

Background Donor site seroma is the most common complication after latissimus dorsi (LD) flap harvest. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in preventing donor site seroma formation after the harvest of an LD flap for breast reconstruction. Methods In this prospective matched-pair study, 40 patients in whom an LD flap was harvested for breast reconstruction were enrolled. NPWT was used in 20 patients, and in a control group composed of another 20 patients, the conventional donor site dressing technique was used. Information was collected regarding postoperative complications, the incidence of seroma, total drainage volume, the number of percutaneous seroma aspirations, and the volume aspirated. Results In the NPWT group, the incidence of seroma formation after drain removal was significantly lower than in the control group (15% vs. 70%; odds ratio=0.07; relative risk, 0.24). Both the mean percutaneous aspirated volume (P=0.004) and the number of percutaneous aspirations (P=0.001) were also significantly lower in the NPWT group. There were no significant differences in the total drainage volume or the duration of wound drainage between the NPWT dressing group and the control group (P>0.05). Conclusions This study showed that NPWT is a promising tool for reducing the incidence of seroma formation after removing the drain at the donor site after LD flap harvesting. It is a simple and safe technique

Nutritional Support with Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Burn Patients: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: In burn patients, the profound effect of nutritional support on improved wound healing and a reduced rate of hospitalization and mortality has been documented. Fish oil as a primary source of omega-3 fatty acids in nutritional support may attenuate the inflammatory response and enhance immune function; however, unclear effects on the improvement of clinical outcomes in burn patients remain. Methods: The systematic literature review was conducted by searching the electronic databases: Cochrane Library, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus to assess the randomized controlled trials of nutritional support with omega-3 fatty acids compared to control diets in patients that presented with burns from any causes. Results: Seven trials were included in this meta-analysis. We found no significant differences in length of stay (LOS) (p = 0.59), mortality (p = 0.86), ventilation days (p = 0.16), gastrointestinal complications—e.g., constipation and diarrhea (p = 0.73)—or infectious complications—e.g., pneumonia and sepsis (p = 0.22)—between the omega-3-fatty-acid-receiving group and the control/other diets group. Conclusions: We did not find a benefit of omega-3 support in reducing the various complications, mortality and LOS in burn patients. Further studies are necessary to find the effect of nutritional support with omega-3 fatty acids over low-fat diets in this population

B1 repetitive sequence methylation enhances wound healing of second-degree burns in rats.

The accumulation of DNA damage in burn wounds delays wound healing. DNA methylation by short interspersed nuclear element (SINE) small interfering (si)RNA prevents DNA damage and promotes cell proliferation. Therefore, SINE siRNA may be able to promote burn wound healing. Here, a SINE B1 siRNA was used to treat burn wounds in rats. Second-degree burn wounds were introduced on the backs of rats. The rats were then divided into three groups: a B1 siRNA-treated, saline-treated control, and saline + calcium phosphate-nanoparticle-treated control group (n=15/group). The wounds were imaged on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 post-injury. The tissue sections were processed for methylation, histological and immunohistochemical examination, and scored based on the overall expression of histone H2AX phosphorylated on serine 139 (γH2AX) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Burn wound closure improved in the B1 siRNA-treated group compared with that in the control group, especially from days 14-28 post-injury (P<0.001). The overall pathological score and degree of B1 methylation in the B1 siRNA-treated group improved significantly at days 14-28 post-injury, with the maximum improvement observed on day 14 (P<0.01) compared with the NSS and Ca-P nanoparticle groups. Immunohistochemical staining revealed lower expression of γH2AX and 8-OHdG in the B1 siRNA-treated group than in the control groups at days 14-28 post-injury; the maximum improvement was observed on days 14 and 21. These data imply that administering SINE siRNA is a promising therapeutic option for managing second-degree burns

Spermatogenesis Abnormalities following Hormonal Therapy in Transwomen

Objective. To measure spermatogenesis abnormalities in transwomen at the time of sex reassignment surgery (SRS) and to analyze the association between hormonal therapy duration and infertility severity. Design. Retrospective study. Setting. University hospital. Patients. One-hundred seventy-three transwomen who underwent SRS from January 2000 to December 2015. Interventions. All orchidectomy specimens were retrospectively reviewed and classified. History of hormonal therapy duration was retrieved from medical records. Main Outcome Measures. Histological examinations of orchidectomy specimens were performed to assess spermatogenesis. Results. One-hundred seventy-three orchidectomy specimens were evaluated. Histological examinations showed maturation arrest in 36.4%, hypospermatogenesis in 26%, Sertoli cell-only syndrome in 20.2%, normal spermatogenesis in 11%, and seminiferous tubule hyalinization in 6.4% of the specimens. Spermatogenesis abnormality severity was not associated with the total therapy duration (P=0.81) or patient age at the time of surgery (P=0.88). Testicular volumes and sizes were associated with spermatogenesis abnormality severity (P=0.001 and P=0.026, right testicle and left testicle, resp.). Conclusion(s). Feminizing hormonal treatment leads to reductions in testicular germ cell levels. All transwomen should be warned about this consequence, and gamete preservation should be offered before starting hormonal treatment