İsmail Şahin

Our experiences on the reconstruction of lateral scalp burn alopecia with tissue expanders

INTRODUCTION Cicatricial alopecia is a form of hair loss that causes both cosmetic and psychological concerns. Although tissue expanders are the common approach to reconstruction, no algorithm exists in the literature for this process. In this study, it was aimed to create an algorithm for the reconstruction of lateral scalp alopecias with the goal to achieve better and standardized results. MATERIALS AND METHODS Lateral scalp alopecias were divided into three groups: total lateral alopecia (type I), temporal and sideburn alopecia (type II), and sideburn alopecia (type III). Tissue expanders were placed at the parieto-occipital area in type I defects, parietal area in type II defects, and the temporal region in type III defects. Tissue expanders were used to create flaps that were advanced with 60° rotation, 90° rotation, and no rotation for type I, II, and III defects, respectively. RESULTS Fifteen patients were treated with this algorithm. Using this simple approach, we achieved natural, standardized aesthetic results for each patient, all of whom were satisfied with the final results. CONCLUSION Although the number of case were limited, the ideal and standardized cosmetic results could be obtained by this approach.

A Wise Surgical Approach for Reconstruction of Postburn Axillary Contractures and Versatility of Perforator Flaps

Postburn axillary adduction contractures should essentially be released for adequate shoulder function. Many methods have been described for this purpose. However, use of perforator flaps prevents harm to the underlying muscle and provides thin, pliable skin flaps. Despite the major advantages offered by perforator flaps, certain shortcomings of perforator flap surgery restrict their widespread use by inexperienced surgeons, including anatomic variations of perforator vessels. In order to rule out these shortcomings, we devised a new surgical approach with an initial incision that provides access to possible perforator systems on the dorsolateral thoracic area. The approach can easily be converted to a fasciocutaneous transposition flap when attempts for identification of a proper perforator fail. Nevertheless, a proper perforator can easily be reached through the exposure provided by this initial incision. With the intention of using perforator-based flap for reconstruction, we used this surgical approach for coverage in 14 cases of postburn axillary contractures. In 3 cases, conversions of the initial incision to local transposition flap (parascapular flap) were required. There was only 2 tip necrosis observed, which healed with secondary intention. Our current surgical approach may offer taking the advantages of using a true perforator flap for reconstruction while avoiding a second stress on the patient when an operative plan for perforator flap harvest fails.

Determination of subacute and chronic period sleep quality in burn patients

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the sleep quality of patients treated at burn center. METHODS The present study is descriptive research conducted between January 2014 and July 2015 at a university hospital. The study included 36 patients (32 male, 4 female; mean age 26.69±9.63; range 19 to 60 years). Patient information form and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to collect data. SPSS software (version 22.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for the analysis of the data, and statistical significance was regarded as p<0.05 in all analyses. RESULTS Burn injuries of 50% of the patients were due to flash burn that occurred in the house. Complications developed in 52.8% of the patients. PSQI score average of the patients was 9.30±4.03 and 86.5% of them suffer from poor sleep quality. It was found that there was a statistically significant correlation (p<0.05) between Pittsburgh Sleep Quality averages and patient being in the intensive care unit (ICU), education level, percentage of area burned, length of time that had passed since the burn, and medication (antidepressant or antipsychotic). DISCUSSION The sleep quality of patients in the study was found to be of poor degree. It is known that after burn injury, sufficient sleep enhances the function of natural defense cells, protein synthesis, and release of growth hormones, thereby healing the burn injuries. Information about patient sleep quality and sleep problems can lead to the development of nursing care for patients suffering from burns.

Auto-/homografting can work well even if both autograft and allograft are meshed in 4:1 ratio.

BACKGROUND Patients suffering major burns of more than 50% total burn surface area lack an adequate skin graft donor site to resurface extensive burn wounds and usually need widely meshed autografting and allografting. Anything over the 3:1 expansion ratio is strongly associated with low graft take, poor or delayed epithelialization, and hypertrophic scarring. METHODS In this study, both autografts and allografts were expanded at a 4:1 ratio. We aimed to use skin grafts effectively and to decrease the morbidity due to graft harvesting. Nine patients with major burns were treated with this method. Graft gain ratio and percentage of actual expansion to predicted expansion were calculated. RESULTS Ten auto-allografting procedures were performed on a mean of day 16. Graft take was over 95% successful. Five patients survived, and four patients died. The mean total burn surface area was 58.8% in patients who recovered, and 77.5% in the patients who died. The graft gain ratio was 74.8%. The actual expansion rate was 43.7% of the predicted expansion rate. CONCLUSION In this study, we demonstrated that the donor site morbidities were reduced and successful epithelialization was completed on the eighth day after using both autograft and allograft meshed with a 4:1 ratio.