Abstract
Introduction
Deep dermal burns are frequently treated with excision and skin grafting. Otherwise, wound healing may take up to 4 to 6 weeks, with serious scarring. Especially in pediatric patients, post-burn scarring could result in psychologic trauma and functional disability. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of early debridement and dressing using cultured allogenic keratinocytes in infants with deep dermal burns to prevent hypertrophic scarring.
Methods
From April 2016 to April 2018, 18 infants were treated for deep dermal burns. Except for 5 infants who underwent skin grafting or excision, 13 infants were included in this study. We performed early debridement in these patients using Hydrosurgery device and serial dressings using cultured allogenic keratinocytes.
Results
The average operative date was 8.3 days after the accident. The mean healing time was 18.3 days after the accident. The patients did not experience any contraction, but 3 patients had hyperpigmentation, 2 patients had mild hypertrophic scarring, and 1 patient had mixed pigmentation (hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation).
Conclusions
Our prophylactic scar therapy, using early debridement with VersajetTM and dressings with Kaloderm®, may be beneficial for infants with dermal burns. This method was able to shorten the healing time, resulting in better scar outcomes. Our follow-up findings revealed that the scars had an aesthetically pleasing appearance and patients were able to perform normal activities without restrictions.
Applicability of Research to Practice
Burn scars are painful regardless of their seriousness. They restrict the function of the body, are aesthetically unappealing, and may feel unpleasant. Patients with a post-burn scar may have aesthetic, functional, and psychological problems. In particular, infant patients experience difficulties due to scarring as they grow up.
WITHDRAWN: Cervicofacial necrotizing fasciitis: A rare disease with a high mortality requiring early debridement for survival