Smoking and its effect on scar healing

Scar formation is influenced by several factors such as wound infection, tension, wound depth and anatomical localization. Hypertrophic scarring is often the result of an imbalance in the wound and scar healing process. The exact underlying pathophysiological mechanism remains unclear. Smoking has a higher risk of postoperative complications probably due to a diminished macrophage induction. Following our clinical impression that smokers without postoperative wound infections show esthetically better scars, we evaluated the scars after a reduction mammaplasty in smoking and nonsmoking patients in a prospective clinical trial. Between July 2006 and September 2007, 13 smokers and 30 non smokers with a reduction mammaplasty were included. They were recruited from Viecuri Medical Centre and Atrium Medical Centre in the Netherlands after written consent. Surgical data and data of the patients' condition were collected. Follow-up for erythema values of the scars was done with a colorimeter (The Minolta CR-300, Minolta Camera Co., Ltd., Osaka Japan) at 1, 3, 6 and 9 months postoperatively on four standardized postsurgical sites. ANOVA and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. In the smoking group, the scars were significantly less red compared to the nonsmoking group. No significant differences were found in BMI, resection weight and drain production between both groups. Although smoking is certainly not recommended as a preventive therapy to influence scar healing, this study confirms our assumption that smokers tend to have faster and less erythemateous scar healing to nonsmokers. Further research is needed to understand the mechanism of the effect of smoking on scars

Twenty years of The International Pierre de Coubertin School Network

El presente artículo ha sido escrito con ocasión de cumplirse el 20 aniversario de la Red Internacional de Escuelas Pierre de Coubertin. En el presente trabajo se presentan y resumen los 11 Fórums celebrados desde 1997, el número, en continuo crecimiento, de escuelas participantes y los detalles de cada una de las reuniones bianuales. El artículo muestra que la idea del Comité Internacional Pierre de Coubertin relativa a reunir a los estudiantes de todo el mundo para competir y para brindarles experiencias en los valores olímpicos en diferentes campos del aprendizaje, ha dado sus frutos. Siguiendo la idea de Coubertin de paz y amistad entre las naciones, la Red Mundial de Escuelas Coubertin se ha convertido en un modelo sostenible para la educación olímpica, reconocido tanto por el COI como internacionalmenteThe following article was written on occasion of the 20th anniversary of the International Network of Pierre de Coubertin Schools. It presents the 11 Youth Forums held since 1997, the continually growing number of participating schools and illustrates the specifics of each of the biannual meetings. The article shows that the CIPC concept of bringing pupils from around the world together for fair competitions and to let them experience the Olympic Values in different fields of learning paid off. Following Coubertin’s idea of peace and friendship among nations, the World Network of Coubertin Schools has become a sustainable model for Olympic education, recognised by the IOC and internationall

Olympic education: Principles, activities and teaching models

El objetivo del presente artículo es desarrollar el concepto de Educación Olímpica. En este sentido, se expone una definición del concepto, los principios de la Educación Olímpica y sus principales actividades (artísticas y culturales, deportivas, académicas, material educativo, etc.). Además, se presentan los principales modelos de enseñanza de la Educación Olímpica (orientados al conocimiento, a la vida diaria o experimentales) así como el público objetivo al que va dirigido. Todo ello a través de una profunda revisión bibliográfica sobre este conceptoThe aim of this paper is to develop the concept of Olympic Education. In this sense, a definition of the concept, the principles of the Olympic education and its main activities (arts and culture, sports, academic, educational materials, etc.) is exposed. In addition, we develop the main models of teaching Olympic Education (oriented knowledge to everyday life or experimental) and the different people who can use it. All this through an extensive bibliographic review on this concep

A new treatment for reliable functional and esthetic outcome after local facial flap reconstruction: a transparent polycarbonate facial mask with silicone sheeting

BACKGROUND: Facial flap surgery predominantly leads to good functional results. However, in some cases, it can cause unsatisfactory esthetic results. They include persistent erythema, pincushioning, and development of hypertrophic scars. Conservative, reliable treatment for facial flaps is lacking. Pressure and silicone therapy have proven to result in significant improvement in scar erythema, pliability, and thickness in postburn hypertrophic scars. By combining these therapies in a facial mask, the esthetic outcome of facial flaps could be improved. In this retrospective study, the efficacy of a unique transparent face mask containing silicone sheets on the esthetic outcome of postsurgical facial flaps is assessed. METHODS: Twenty-one patients were assigned to facial pressure mask therapy after they underwent facial flap surgery between July 2012 and September 2015. Patients were treated for a mean duration of 46 weeks. The effects of pressure mask therapy were examined by means of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). RESULTS: All POSAS components showed a reduction between start and end of therapy, while itchiness, pigmentation, pliability, thickness, and relief of the flap improved significantly (P < 0.05). Mean total and patient score showed significant reduction between start and end of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that a facial pressure mask layered with silicone results in noticeable flap improvement with a long-lasting result. Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study.status: publishe

The effect of triclosan-coated sutures in wound healing. A double blind randomised prospective pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Wound infection and dehiscence are both major contributors to postoperative morbidity. One potential cause or co-factor is the use of suture material. A recently introduced subcutaneous suture is coated with triclosan (TC), an antiseptic drug. It is suggested to reduce wound complications. METHODS: To investigate the effect of TC on wound healing a double blind prospective pilot study in women undergoing a breast reduction was performed. Each patient was her own control. After randomisation the TC-coated sutures were used either on the left or right side. The contralateral side was used as the control. The incidence of dehiscence was studied. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were included. In the TC breasts there was a wound dehiscence in 16 cases, whereas in the control breasts in seven cases a dehiscence was observed (P=0.023). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that TC-coated sutures should be used with caution. These sutures have already been introduced on to the market without good clinical studies and might have potential adverse effects as shown by these data

Olimpismo y fair play

Las actas incluyen un cuestionario sobre tolerancia y fair play en el deporte de la Fundación Holandesa para el Deporte, la Tolerancia y el Fair PlayEl Programa Municipal de Deporte Escolar de la Concejalía de Juventud y Deportes del Ayuntamiento de Murcia incluye, para el curso 1996/97 el Seminario sobre Fair Play en el Deporte Escolar del que se publica las actas de las dos ediciones celebradas. Las ponencias y comunicaciones presentadas versan sobre: el fair play en el deporte escolar, la dimensión pedagógica del olimpismo, los orígenes del espíritu olimpico, juego limpio y olimpismo, movimiento olimpico y valores educativos, ética deportiva, etc.MurciaES