Skin replacement offers victims hope - Burns - Brief Article

Recovering from the aftermath of burn injuries can be faster and less painful, thanks to a new skin replacement treatment, notes Rajiv Sood, associate professor of plastic surgery, Indiana Medical University, Indianapolis. Burn victims often have limited motion in the burn area because of scar contracture or tightness resulting from a shortage of skin. This can be surgically treated through transplantation of skin from other areas of the body or use of skin replacement material.

A new skin replacement material of donated human tissue provides increased range of motion, less postoperative pain, and fewer postoperative therapy appointments than traditional skin transplantation methods. "The donated tissue technique will change burn-patient care," predicts Sood. "Skin damage from burns significantly affects muscle and joint function. Not only do patients return to normal life faster, but they no longer need to take the skin from another area of their body."

Sood studied four patients, each with contracture from burns. The patients bent their arms an average of 89 [degrees] and raised their arms an average of 81 [degrees] before the skin replacement treatment. After it, they could bend their arms an average of 151 [degrees] and raise them 153 [degrees]. These patients were compared with others who underwent traditional treatment with skin grafts, who bent their arms 22 [degrees] less and raised them 44 [degrees] less than those who received preserved human skin.

"This treatment will also prove successful to patients with other injuries," he suggests. "It can be used for skin loss after injury or even tumor removal. The donated skin not only helps restore range of motion, but helps reduce scarring and infection."

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