Joints involved in deep burn often result in joint contracture, limb dysfunction, psychological disorder, or even loss of living and working abilities. The management of post-burn joint contracture will directly orientate the functional recovery of the patients. Comprehensive intervention may prevent the contracture process of the affected joints. Orthoses application is an important measure and should be maintained throughout the whole process of burn care, from positioning the joints at the early stage to maintaining the range of joint motion at the late stage. Orthoses should be used on the premise of protecting the joint functions. In order to maintain the tissue tension while enhancing the joint mobility and muscle strength, the static orthoses and the dynamic orthoses are often alternately used. It is showed in clinical practice that orthoses are designed and applied on the basis that biomechanics will lead to a better outcome.
Burns ; complications ; rehabilitation ; Cicatrix ; etiology ; rehabilitation ; Contracture ; etiology ; rehabilitation ; Humans ; Orthopedic Procedures ; instrumentation ; Orthotic Devices

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of pressure therapy on proliferation and apoptosis of cells in hypertrophic scar (HS) of burn patients.

METHODSTwenty patients who were hospitalized from September 2010 to September 2012 and started to wear pressure garment tailored by rehabilitation therapists over 20 hours a day beginning from two weeks after healing of burn wounds with the depth from deep partial-thickness to full-thickness (early stage of formation of HS) were set as pressure treatment group (PT). Another group of patients who were hospitalized in the same period with HS formed 3, 6, 12, 24 months (with 5 patients at each time point) after deep partial-thickness to full-thickness burns without receiving any treatment were set as control group. HS tissue samples from limbs and face were excised at post treatment month (PTM) 3, 6, 12, 24 in group PT (with 5 patients at each time point), and 2 to 3 days after admission in control group. Five patients out of the above-mentioned 40 patients were selected according to the random number table, and normal skin tissue samples from abdomen and thigh were also obtained to serve as normal control. The expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in HS and normal skin tissue were determined with immunohistochemical staining. The apoptosis status was detected with situ end labeling technique. The mRNA expressions of P57(kip2) and Cyclin E were determined with real-time fluorescence quantification PCR. Data were processed with t test, one-way analysis of variance, or LSD test.

RESULTS(1) In normal skin tissue, PCNA-positive cells were observed in the epidermal basal layer and prickle cell layer. In group PT and control group, PCNA-positive cells were observed in the epidermal basal layer, prickle cell layer, lower part of the granular cell layer, and dermis of HS. The percentages of PCNA-positive cells in HS in group PT were respectively (40.4 ± 2.9)%, (28.2 ± 6.2)%, (9.9 ± 0.7)% at PTM 3, 6, 12, which were significantly lower than those of HS formed 3, 6, 12 months after wound healing in control group [(48.3 ± 4.7)%, (36.2 ± 3.2)%, (11.4 ± 0.9)%, with t values respectively 3.186, 2.559, 2.880, P values all below 0.05]. (2) In normal skin tissue, apoptotic cells were observed in the epidermal basal layer. In group PT and control group, apoptotic cells were observed in each layer of epidermis of HS. The apoptotic indexes of HS in group PT were respectively (20.4 ± 1.2)%, (26.1 ± 0.4)%, (26.6 ± 1.0)% at PTM 6, 12, 24, which were significantly higher than those of HS formed 6, 12, 24 months after wound healing in control group [(16.2 ± 1.5)%, (23.1 ± 2.0)%, (24.8 ± 1.1)%, with t values respectively -4.904, -3.366, -2.606, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01]. (3) The mRNA expressions of P57(kip2) of HS in group PT were respectively 3.87 ± 0.20, 8.60 ± 0.78, 10.00 ± 0.57 at PTM 3, 6, 12, which were significantly higher than those of HS formed 3, 6, 12 months after wound healing in control group (3.34 ± 0.15, 6.36 ± 0.29, 9.34 ± 0.12, with t values respectively -4.880, -6.014, -2.375, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The mRNA expression of P57(kip2) in normal skin tissue was close to those of HS in group PT at PTM 12, 24 and those of HS formed 12, 24 months after wound healing in control group (with P values all above 0.05). (4) The mRNA expressions of Cyclin E of HS in group PT were respectively 19.30 ± 0.18, 12.77 ± 0.30, 9.21 ± 0.18 at PTM 3, 6, 12, which were significantly higher than those of HS formed 3, 6, 12 months after wound healing in control group (19.79 ± 0.34, 15.41 ± 0.26, 9.47 ± 0.17, with t values respectively 3.186, 2.559, 2.880, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The mRNA expression of Cyclin E in normal skin tissue was close to those of HS in group PT at PTM 12, 24 and those of HS formed 12, 24 months after wound healing in control group (with P values all above 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPressure therapy can accelerate the evolution process of HS through accelerating apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation, thereby scar proliferation is inhibited.

Adult ; Apoptosis ; Burns ; complications ; rehabilitation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; pathology ; therapy ; Compression Bandages ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pressure

OBJECTIVETo analyze the cognition degree of parents of pediatric burn patients on hyperplasia of scar and its prevention and rehabilitation, so as to provide a guidance for preventing deformity and dysfunction caused by scar hyperplasia.

METHODSQuestionnaire survey was carried out among parents of 150 pediatric burn patients hospitalized from October 2010 to November 2011 to analyze the cognition degree of patients on the formation of scar after burns, the demand degree for scar treatment between parents of different genders of patients and among parents of patients with burn injury occurred in different body sites, the relationship between the literacy level of parents and their degree of willingness of undergoing scar treatment, and the degree of comprehension and acceptance on the part of parents regarding the methods of prevention and treatment of scar. Data were processed with chi-square test or Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS(1) Only the parents of 19 pediatric burn patients (accounting for 12.7%) realized the possibility of scar formation before admission. After admission, more than half of the parents were told that their children would bear scar and need regular follow-up, while only parents of 52 patients (34.7%) were instructed the methods of preventing and treating scar. (2) One hundred and forty parents (93.3%) considered their children need prevention and treatment of scar after burns. There was no statistically significant difference between parents of male patients and female patients in the demand for scar treatment (χ(2) = 0.825, P > 0.05). The demand degree of parents for rehabilitation treatment for the upper limbs after burns surpassed those of the other sites of body, and altogether there were 85 parents accounting for 97.7% of all. (3) The difference among parents with different levels of literacy was not obvious in the willingness of receiving treatment for scar hyperplasia (P > 0.05). (4) Eight methods were chosen by parents to prevent and treat scars of patients. Eighty-five parents (56.7%) chose the topical agents; 26 parents (17.3%) chose the pressure therapy; and 18 parents (12.0%) preferred oral drug treatment.

CONCLUSIONSParents of pediatric burn patients do not have enough understanding on the formation and prevention and treatment of postburn scars. Medical staff should enhance the awareness of parents on scar rehabilitation, improve the treatment technology, and promulgate the importance of prevention and treatment of scar formation after a burn injury in the society.

Burns ; complications ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cicatrix ; etiology ; rehabilitation ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Parents ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: Hypertrophic scarring and depression are the principal problems of burn rehabilitation. This study was done to verify the effects of skin rehabilitation massage therapy (SRMT) on pruritus, skin status, and depression for Korean burn survivors. METHODS: A pretest-posttest design using a nonequivalent control group was applied to examine the effects of SRMT for 3 months in a group of 18 burn survivors. The major dependent variables-including pruritus, objective and subjective scar status, and depression-were measured at the beginning and at the end of the therapy to examine the effects of SRMT. RESULTS: Burn survivors receiving SRMT showed reduced pruritus, improved skin status, and depression. The remaining scar also showed improvement in skin pigmentation, pliability, vascularity, and height (compared to the surrounding skin) as measured on the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate that SRMT for burn survivors may improve their scars both objectively and subjectively, and also reduce pruritus and depression.
Adult ; Burns/complications/*rehabilitation ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic/etiology/*prevention & control ; Depressive Disorder/etiology/*prevention & control ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; *Massage ; Pruritus/etiology/*prevention & control

This article reports the successful experience of integration of burn treatment and rehabilitation for a child suffering from 91% TBSA flame burn injury (with 60% TBSA full-thickness injury, 30% TBSA deep partial-thickness injury, and 1% TBSA superficial partial-thickness injury), severe inhalation injury, severe burn shock, stress ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding and atelectasis of the right upper lung. The patient was given effective fluid infusion against shock, treatment for gastrointestinal bleeding, and other effective supportive treatment for functions of various organs after being admitted to our burn ward. When vital signs became stable at 30 hours post injury, bedside rehabilitation was begun. On post injury day (PID) 4, escharectomy was performed for both lower limbs, followed by microskin grafting and allogeneic skin covering. On PID 10, invasive infection of multi-drug resistant bacteria was found with accompanied high fever, and at the same time allograft began to disintegrate, with dissolution of large area of eschar, leading to a raw surface reaching 86% TBSA. Following debridement, dressing, application of compound polymyxin B ointment, temporary covering of wounds with porcine acellular dermal matrix, adjustment of antibiotics, patient's condition was finally stabilized. From PID 28 on, split-thickness skin grafting was conducted 7 times, and the raw surface of 75% TBSA involving the upper and lower limbs and trunk was successfully covered. At the same time, our rehabilitation team launched comprehensive rehabilitation measures comprising active exercise, occupational therapy, prevention of scar formation, organ function training and psychological intervention. Finally, the patient was able to walk unaided and fed herself when the wounds were almost entirely healed in 3 months after injury. Oriented forwards functional rehabilitation, strong cooperation between team members, and synchronous effective implementation of burn treatment and rehabilitation in the whole process are the keys to achieve successful integration of burn treatment and rehabilitation of this child.
Acellular Dermis ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Burns ; rehabilitation ; therapy ; Cicatrix ; Debridement ; Humans ; Shock ; complications ; Skin ; Skin Transplantation ; Swine ; Trauma Severity Indices ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing

Objective: To explore the family rehabilitation model for children with scar contracture after hand burns and observe its efficacy. Methods: A retrospective non-randomized controlled study was conducted. From March 2020 to March 2021, 30 children with scar contracture after deep partial-thickness to full-thickness burns of hands, who met the inclusion criteria, were hospitalized in the Burn Center of PLA of the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University. According to the rehabilitation model adopted, 18 children (23 affected hands) were included in a group mainly treated by family rehabilitation (hereinafter referred to as family rehabilitation group), and 12 children (15 affected hands) were included in another group mainly treated by hospital rehabilitation (hereinafter referred to as hospital rehabilitation group). In the former group, there were 11 males and 7 females, aged (4.8±2.1) years, who began rehabilitation treatment (3.1±0.8) d after wound healing; in the latter group, there were 7 males and 5 females, aged (4.6±2.1) years, who began rehabilitation treatment (2.8±0.7) d after wound healing. The children in hospital rehabilitation group mainly received active and passive rehabilitation training in the hospital, supplemented by independent rehabilitation training after returning home; after 1-2 weeks of active and passive rehabilitation training in the hospital, the children in family rehabilitation group received active and passive rehabilitation training at home under the guidance of rehabilitation therapists through WeChat platform. Both groups of children were treated for 6 months. During the treatment, they wore pressure gloves and used hand flexion training belts and finger splitting braces. Before treatment and after 6 months of treatment, the modified Vancouver scar scale, the total active movement of the hand method, and Carroll quantitative test of upper extremity function were used to score/rate the scar of the affected hand (with the difference of scar score between before treatment and after treatment being calculated), the joint range of motion (with excellent and good ratio being calculated), and the function of the affected limb, respectively. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, equivalence test, Fisher's exact probability test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The differences of scar scores of the affected hands of children in family rehabilitation group and hospital rehabilitation group between after 6 months of treatment and those before treatment were 3.0 (2.0, 7.0) and 3.0 (2.0, 8.0) respectively (with 95% confidence interval of 2.37-5.38 and 1.95-5.91). The 95% confidence interval of the difference between the differences of the two groups was -2.43-2.21, which was within the equivalent boundary value of -3-3 (P<0.05). The excellent and good ratios of joint range of motion of the affected hand of children in family rehabilitation group and hospital rehabilitation group were 3/23 and 2/15 respectively before treatment, and 15/23 and 12/15 respectively after 6 months of treatment. The ratings of joint range of motion of the affected hand of children in family rehabilitation group and hospital rehabilitation group after 6 months of treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment (with Z values of 3.58 and 2.30, respectively, P<0.05), but the ratings of joint range of motion of the affected hand between the two groups were similar before treatment and after 6 months of treatment (with Z values of 0.39 and 0.55, respectively, P>0.05). The functional ratings of the affected limbs of children in family rehabilitation group and hospital rehabilitation group after 6 months of treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment (with Z values of 3.98 and 3.51, respectively, P<0.05), but the functional ratings of the affected limbs between the two groups were similar before treatment and after 6 months of treatment (with Z values of 1.27 and 0.38, respectively, P>0.05). Conclusions: The WeChat platform assisted rehabilitation treatment with mainly family rehabilitation, combined with hand flexion and extension brace can effectively reduce the scarring after children's hand burns, improve the joint range of motion of the affected hands, and promote the recovery of affected limb function. The effect is similar to that of hospital-based rehabilitation providing an optional rehabilitation, treatment method for children who cannot continue to receive treatment in hospital.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Child ; Cicatrix/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing ; Hand Injuries/rehabilitation* ; Wrist Injuries ; Contracture/etiology* ; Burns/complications*