Features of Preoperative Preparation of Patients with Burns and Chronic Ulcers of Various Etiology for Autodermoplasty

The influence of various schemes of preoperative preparation for autodermoplasty on the rates of skin graft survival and the duration of hospitalization in patients with burns and wounds of various etiologies was analyzed. Patients were divided into groups and subgroups depending on the preparation scheme. Group I (22 patients) received negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) during the preoperative period for 5 days in combination with reamberin — intravenous drip at a rate of 40-60 drops/min, 500 ml, once a day for 5 days. Those patients were divided into subgroups: subgroup 1A (17 people) received complex treatment without antibiotic therapy, subgroup 1B (5 people) received antibiotic therapy. Group II consisted of 30 patients, who received vacuum therapy during the preparatory period. Group II patients were also divided into subgroups: 2A (16 people) received NPWT without antibiotics, 2B (14 people) — vacuum therapy together with antibiotic therapy. Group III (comparison, n=52) included patients who were treated using traditional methods, including antibiotic therapy and topical use of various dressings and ointments. Follow-up morphohistological study of wound biopsies was carried out in order to determine the area of fibroblasts, the area of fibroblast nucleus, and the number of vessels. After skin autografting, skin flap survival rate was determined, taking the time of hospitalization into account. Upon comparison of preoperative preparation schemes used for patients with burns and chronic ulcers of various etiologies with a surface area of 1–5% appropriate for skin autografting, the scheme that included NPWT and reamberin for 5 days proved to be the most effective: an improvement in fibroblastogenesis and blood flow to the wound was noted in this group of patients, which was accompanied by an improvement in the skin flap survival rate up to 90.0±9.9%, which, in turn, reduced the duration of patient’s hospital stay — the average duration of the preoperative period was 2.5 times shorter, postoperative — 1.9 times shorter than in the comparison group (p<0.05). The results obtained make it possible to recommend the use of this scheme in the preoperative preparation for skin autografting for patients with burns and chronic ulcers of various etiologies with the surface area of 1–5%.

The Use of Dermal Substitute in Deep Burns of Functional/Mobile Anatomic Areas at Acute Phase After Early Excision and Subsequent Skin Autografting: Dermal Substitute Prevents Functional Limitations

We aimed to evaluate the results of dermal substitute implantation after early excision in the acute phase of major burn cases within the scope of efforts to reduce contractions and scar formation in functional anatomic areas (face, neck, axilla, elbow, popliteal). Twelve patients with major burn who were treated in the burn center between September 2017 and September 2018 were included in the study. In these patients, Nevelia® dermal substitute was implanted into 24 functional areas with deep partial or full-thickness burns after surgical debridement of the wound. Autologous split-thickness skin graft was applied to these areas after 14 to 21 days. The patients were followed for 4 to 14 months (mean 6 months). Postoperative scar formation was assessed by the Vancouver Scar Scale at the end of the follow-up period. A simple qualitative staging system was used for aesthetic and functional evaluation. The time from burn injury to dermal substitute implantation was 3 to 21 days. Skin graft take was complete in 22 of 24 regions and partial in one of them, while graft loss developed in one region. In the implantation sites, the Vancouver Scar Scale ranged from 1 to 7. The aesthetic and functional evaluation showed excellent/good results in 21 of 24 anatomic regions, moderate results in 2 regions, and poor results in 1 region. The use of dermal substitute in deep burns of functional/mobile anatomic areas at the acute phase after early excision and subsequent skin autografting has opened a new alternative area in the burn surgery arena to prevent contractures and functional limitations.