• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.146-151
• /
• 2018

Background A persistent problem in autologous breast reconstruction in skin-sparing mastectomies is skin restoration after skin necrosis or secondary oncological resection. As a solution to facilitate reconstruction, skin banking of free-flap skin has been proposed in cases where the overlying skin envelope must be resected, as this technique spares the patient an additional donor site. Herein, we present the largest series to date in which this method was used. We investigated its safety and the possibility of skin banking for prolonged periods of time. Methods All skin-sparing mastectomies and immediate autologous breast reconstructions from December 2009 until June 2013 at our institution were analysed. Results We identified 31 patients who underwent 33 free flap reconstructions in which skin banking was performed. Our median skin banking period was 7 days, with a maximum duration of 171 days. In 22.5% of cases, the banked skin was used to reconstruct overlying skin defects, and in 9.6% of cases to reconstruct the nipple-areolar complex. Microbiological and histological investigations of the banked skin revealed neither clinical infections nor malignancies. Conclusions In situ skin banking, even for prolonged periods of time, is a safe and cost-effective method to ensure that skin defects due to necrosis or secondary oncological resection can be easily reconstructed.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.337-343
• /
• 2014

Background The reconstruction of large skin and soft tissue defects on the lower extremities is challenging. The skin graft is a simple and frequently used method for covering a skin defect. However, poor skin quality and architecture are well-known problems that lead to scar contracture. The collagen-elastin matrix, Matriderm, has been used to improve the quality of skin grafts; however, no statistical and objective review of the results has been reported. Methods Thirty-four patients (23 male and 11 female) who previously received a skin graft and simultaneous application of Matriderm between January 2010 and June 2012 were included in this study. The quality of the skin graft was evaluated using Cutometer, occasionally accompanied by pathologic findings. Results All 34 patients showed good skin quality compared to a traditional skin graft and were satisfied with their results. The statistical data for the measurement of the mechanical properties of the skin were similar to those for normal skin. In addition, there was no change in the engraftment rate. Conclusions The biggest problem of a traditional skin graft is scar contracture. However, the dermal matrix presents an improvement in skin quality with elastin and collagen. Therefore, a skin graft along with a simultaneous application of Matriderm is safe and effective and leads to a significantly better outcome from the perspective of skin elasticity.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.94-100
• /
• 2019

Background: Skin defects of head and neck need reconstruction using various local flaps. In some cases, surgeons should consider skin graft for large skin defect. It is important to heal skin graft and donor sites. The authors investigated wound healing mechanisms at the donor sites with split-thick-ness skin graft (STSG). In this study, the authors compared two types of immediate regraft including sheets and islands for the donor site after facial skin graft using remnant skin. Methods: The author reviewed 10 patients who underwent STSG, from March 2015 to May 2017, for skin defects in the craniofacial area. The donor site was immediately covered with the two types using remnant skin after harvesting skin onto the recipient site. Depending on the size of the remnant skin, we conducted regraft with the single sheet (n= 5) and island types (n= 5). Results: On postoperative day 1 and 3 months, the scar formation was evaluated using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) and Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). Total POSAS and VSS scores for the island type were lower than in single sheet group after 3 months postoperatively. There was significant difference in specific categories of POSAS and VSS. Conclusion: This study showed a reduction in scar formation following immediate regrafting of the remnant skin at the donor site after STSG surgery. Particularly, the island type is useful for clinical application to facilitate healing of donor sites with STSG.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.238-247
• /
• 2022

Since the skin covers most surfaces of the body, it is susceptible to damage, which can be fatal depending on the degree of injury to the skin because it defends against external attack and protects internal structures. Various types of artificial skin are being studied for transplantation to repair damaged skin, and recently, the production of replaceable skin using three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology has also been investigated. In this study, skin tissue was produced using a 3D bioprinter with human skin cell lines and cells extracted from mouse skin, and the printing conditions were optimized. Gelatin was used as a bioink, and fibrinogen and alginate were used for tissue hardening after printing. Printed skin tissue maintained a survival rate of 90% or more when cultured for 14 days. Culture conditions were established using 8 mM calcium chloride treatment and the skin tissue was exposed to air to optimize epidermal cell differentiation. The skin tissue was cultured for 14 days after differentiation induction by this optimized culture method, and immunofluorescent staining was performed using epidermal cell differentiation markers to investigate whether the epidermal cells had differentiated. After differentiation, loricrin, which is normally found in terminally differentiated epidermal cells, was observed in the cells at the tip of the epidermal layer, and cytokeratin 14 was expressed in the lower cells of the epidermis layer. Collectively, this study may provide optimized conditions for bioprinting and keratinization for three-dimensional skin production.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.47 no.6
• /
• pp.528-534
• /
• 2020

Split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) is the gold standard for coverage of acute burns and reconstructive wounds. However, the choice of the donor site for STSG varies among surgeons, and the scalp represents a relatively under-utilized donor site. Understanding the validity of potential risks will assist in optimizing wound management. A comprehensive literature search was conducted of the PubMed database to identify studies evaluating scalp skin grafting in human subjects published between January 1, 1964 and December 31, 2019. Data were collected on early and late complications at the scalp donor site. In total, 27 articles comparing scalp donor site complications were included. The selected studies included analyses of acute burn patients only (21 of 27 articles), mean total body surface area (20 of 27), age distribution (22 of 27), sex (12 of 27), ethnicity (5 of 27), tumescent technique (21 of 27), depth setting of the dermatome (24 of 27), number of harvests (20 of 27), mean days of epithelization (18 of 27), and early and late complications (27 of 27). The total rate of early complications was 3.82% (117 of 3,062 patients). The total rate of late complications was 5.19% (159 of 3,062 patients). The literature on scalp skin grafting has not yet identified an ideal surgical technique for preventing donor site complications. Although scalp skin grafting provided superior outcomes with fewer donor site complications, there continues to be a lack of standardization. The use of scalp donor sites for STSG can prevent early and late complications if proper surgical planning, procedures, and postoperative care are performed.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.151-165
• /
• 2003

Objective: This study was carried out to evaluate the inhibitory effect on immme hypersensitive reaction by Yangdokbackhotang extract. methods: To study, We divided 4 weeks old rats into three groups of 20, which are the constrasive group with nothing treated, the skin transplated only, and the Yangdokbackhotang extract fed before skin transplantation. And did the experiment. Results: 1. The ear swelling in mice treated with YB noticeably decreased than only DNCB treated mice. 2. As shown in Table3, also results in a significant decrease of YB group than ST group in the number of positive cells of $NF-{\kappa}B$, COX-2, IL-12B, and ICAM-1. From the above results, it could be concluded that Yangdokbackhotang showed benificial immunosupressive effect on the hypersensitive reaction.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.43 no.5
• /
• pp.418-423
• /
• 2016

Background Skin grafting is a relatively simple and thus widely used procedure. However, the elastic and structural quality of grafted skin is poor. Recently, various dermal substitutes have been developed to overcome this disadvantage of split-thickness skin grafts. The present study aims to determine the feasibility of RapiGraft as a new dermal substitute. Methods This prospective study included 20 patients with partial- or full-thickness skin defects; the patients were enrolled between January 2013 and March 2014. After skin defect debridement, the wound was divided into two parts by an imaginary line. Split-thickness skin grafting alone was performed on one side (group A), and RapiGraft and split-thickness skin grafting were used on the other side (group B). All patients were evaluated using photographs and self-questionnaires. The Manchester scar scale (MSS), a chromameter, and a durometer were used for the scar evaluation. The average follow-up period was 6 months. Results The skin graft take rates were 93% in group A and 89% in group B, a non-significant difference (P=0.082). Statistically, group B had significantly lower MSS, vascularity, and pigmentation results than group A (P<0.05 for all). However, the groups did not differ significantly in pliability (P=0.155). Conclusions The present study indicates that a simultaneous application of RapiGraft and a split-thickness skin graft is safe and yields improved results. Therefore, we conclude that the use of RapiGraft along with skin grafting will be beneficial for patients requiring reconstructive surgery.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.649-654
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Split-or full-thickness skin grafts are used to reconstruct palmar skin and soft tissue defects after trauma or to release burn scar contracture on the hand. Glabrous skin defects should be substituted with similar skin to preserve function and aesthetics. The authors report their experiences with a technique that uses a full-thickness graft taken from glabrous skin on the ulnar edge of the palm for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the hand. Methods: During a three-year period from 2007 to 2010, 22 patients with burn scar contracture and 12 patients with post-traumatic skin defects on their hands were treated with full-thickness skin graft operations. The palmar skin and soft tissue defects after release of burn scar contracture or debridement of post-traumatic wounds were reconstructed with full-thickness skin grafts harvested from the ulnar border of their palms. All donor-site wounds were primarily closed. Results: The followup periods ranged from 3 to 25 months. Contractures of the hand were corrected without recurrence, and the grafts showed relatively good contour and color match to the adjacent fields. There were no reported complications such as significant color change or hypertrophic scarring. The grafted skin showed an average 5.9 mm static two-point discrimination obtained in fingertip reconstruction cases, indicating satisfactory reinnervation. Conclusion: Glabrous full-thickness grafts harvested from the palmar ulnar border is a very useful way of reconstructing soft tissue defects on hands, including fingertips, for function restoration, favorable aesthetic results, and low donor-site morbidity.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.27-36
• /
• 2000

February 1995 to September 1999, authors have experienced seven cases of infected nonunion of tibial fractures with associated soft tissue injury and skin defect, and have accomplished union in all cases by free vascularized fibular graft. All grafts healed with no radiographic evidence of bone necrosis or resorption and have been able to treat large bony defect and skin defect simultaneously. In this study, five cases of vascularized free fibular osteocutaneous flap transfer and two cases of free fibular graft are reported. All of seven cases were infected nonunion of tibia. The results were obtained as follows 1) The mean duration of the radiologic bone union was average 5.3months. 2) Grafted fibular has been hypertrophied, average 10.6 months. 3) In five cases of preservation of posterior cortex of tibia, bony union and hypertrophy of grafted bone were earlier than that two cases of complete segmental resection of tibia. 4) In two cases which only free vascularized fibular graft were performed because achievement of cutaneous flap was failed, authors found that soft tissue defect was filled with granulation tissue and split-thickness skin graft was possible over the granulation tissue after 3 weeks postoperatively.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.9-15
• /
• 2009

Whether a seven days course of anti-${\alpha}{\beta}$-T cell receptor-antibody (${\alpha}{\beta}$-TCRmAb) combined with FK506 therapy promotes survival of limb allografts in fully MHC-mismatched combination (Brown Norway $\rightarrow$ Lewis) was examined. Eight animals received 250 ${\mu}g$/kg/day of ${\alpha}{\beta}$-TCRmAb for 7 days and 2 mg/kg/day of FK506 postoperatively (Combination therapy group). Eight animals had FK506 only (Mono-therapy group) and five animals did not have treatment (Control group). Clinical signs of early rejection with edema or erythema in the skin occurred at an average of 8.6${\pm}$1.5 days postoperatively in Control group and 59.0${\pm}$8.3 days in Mono-therapy group, both of which proceeded to irreversible rejection with necrosis of the epidermis and finally mummification. In Combination therapy group, all animals showed evidence of early rejection at an average of 56.8${\pm}$12.6 days postoperatively, however, in 4 of 8 limbs, early rejection resolved without any treatment and limbs survived >1 year. At 9 months postoperatively, donor skin grafts were accepted and third-party skin grafts were rejected by all four survivors, demonstrating donor-specific tolerance. Little or no detectable chimerism was observed in any of the 4 surviving animals at one-year postoperatively. Combination therapy of ${\alpha}{\beta}$-TCRmAb and FK506 resulted in long-term survival in fully MHC-mismatched limb transplants.