No abstract available.
Electrodes ; Silk ; Sutures

Tie-over dressing is commonly used in order to immobilize the skin graft. The classic method takes too much time and effort, and various apparatuses of the other modifications are somewhat large and bulky, especially in the surgery for hands, therefore, we have developed a simplified method for tie-over dressing. We placed several key stitches with absorbable suture material, and passed silk sutures from one margin of the graft to the opposite without tying. Then after putting saline-soaked cotton balls below and above the silk sutures, we tied the silk suture together applying appropriate pressure. This method has the following advantages: 1. speed of application 2. double compression 3. easy to remove
Bandages* ; Hand ; Silk ; Skin ; Sutures ; Transplants

A material for ridge preservation should have dimensional stability to resist bio-degradation. This study was designed to compare bio-degradation of ridge preservation materials. Collagen plug was used as a positive control. Untreated, ethanol-treated, and 4-hexylresorcinol (4HR)-treated silk plugs were used for the experimental group. Each material underwent a scanning electron microscopic exam and a Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic exam. Bio-degradation was evaluated by analyzing cylindrical bony defects in rabbit tibias. There were no prominent differences in microstructure among the silk plug groups. FT-IR exam demonstrated that the ethanol- and 4HR-treated silk plug groups had enhanced β-sheet structure. All silk plug groups exhibited significantly higher residual graft than the collagen plug group 4 weeks postoperative (p<0.05). In conclusion, silk fibroin-based ridge preservation material was less bio-degradable than a collagen plug until at least 4 weeks after grafting.
Collagen* ; Fourier Analysis ; Hexylresorcinol ; Silk* ; Tibia ; Transplants*

Silk-based biomaterials are featured with excellent mechanical properties, good biocompatibility and biodegradability, which contribute to their potential applications in biomedical field. The current recognition of silk protein materials in structure and function provides a basic theory for the transformation of silk protein into new types of biomaterials. In addition, exogenous sequences encoding new peptide or structural domain can be inserted into the maternal gene sequences encoding silk proteins through genetic engineering technology to synthesize novel silk-based biomaterials with unique functions. This review summarizes the current trend and development perspective of genetically engineered functional silk-based materials for biomedical applications.
Biocompatible Materials ; Genetic Engineering ; Hydrogels ; Silk

Immobilization of skin graft is essential in split thickness skin graft. A common practice to ensure immobilzation is tie-over dressing. Tie-over dressing is used to secure skin graft and to avoid complications such as fluid accumulation and hematoma formation. But the traditional technique of tie-over dressing is a time-consuming tedious task. Various modifications of this method have been developed. But almost all the methods required the silk tie as well as special devices. We designed simple and effective immobilization method of skin graft that is neither threads nor securing devices are required. After skin graft is applied to recipient bed, skin staples are used to tack the graft. Vaseline gauze is applied over the graft. A fluffy gauze bolus is placed over the vaseline gauze and wrapped around the bolus with mesh gauze. The skin staples are used to secure the free ends on the bolus dressing applying proper tension. These free ends of the mesh gauze, acting like two-dimensional threads, put a pressure on the bolus dressing and the graft. This method has been used in 30 patients and has proven satisfactory.
Bandages* ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Petrolatum ; Silk ; Skin* ; Transplants*

Hand dermatitis of silk industry workers had been a troublesome problern for a long time. It was said the cause was due to toxic reaction by denatured pupae and physical reaction from high water temperaturc. During Augnst and September 1973, patch test was performed with pupa and cocoon to 680 workers in 4 separate silk factories in order to persue the factors which may cause their hand dermatitis. Among 475 workers who had performed first patch test, only 12 workers in one of four factories showed positive reaction in pupa and we came to know that only that factory had used formalin in order to protect denaturation of pupae and cocoons. Second patch test with pupa and 1% formalin was repeated to 130 subjects including 6 of 12 positive cases in the first pateh test. Five Subjects shosved positive reaction in pupa, also 5 in 1% formalin and 2 of them showed positive reaction in both pupa and 1% formalin. In the second patch test, 3 of 6 who had been positive in pupa at first patch test were positive at pupa. It seemed to be that toxic or allergic theory is not enough to explain clearly the cause of hand dermatitis in silk industry workers. Further stucly is necessarv to elucidate how the silk fiber, water temperature and parasites in the pupa and cocoon contribute to the hand dermmatitis.
Dermatitis ; Formaldehyde ; Hand ; Parasites ; Patch Tests* ; Pupa ; Silk*

PURPOSE: Breast volume is one of the crucial measurements in preoperative planning and postoperative evaluation of the results in mammoplasty. There are several methods suggested by different authors, but there is still no commonly accepted standard methods for measuring breast volume. To help the surgeons to base their estimation on an objective evaluation, we developed a simple method using Polyethylene bag and plaster molding. METHODS: After Polyethylene bags were put in suitable size on both breasts of the patient in upright position, silk plaster was molded on the surface evenly. Then molds can be obtained after marking boundaries of breasts with a pen. Breast volume measurement can be done by filling water in the molds and measuring it. Moreover, postoperative design for natural skin brassier was possible using the molds. RESULTS: This method was applied to 2 patients for reduction mammoplasty and the breast volume measurement was simple, hygienic and accurate, done within 10 minutes. CONCLUSION: This method using Polyethylene bag and plaster molding has several advantages. 1.It is comparatively accurate regardless of the size and shape of patient's breasts in upright position. 2.Measurement time is short and inconvenience and shame of patients can be reduced by making molds after putting on Polyethylene bags. 3.It is relatively economical and uses easily available hygienic materials . 4.The postoperative shape and volume of breasts can be predicted by using molds preoperatively.
Breast* ; Female ; Fungi* ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; Polyethylene* ; Shame ; Silk ; Skin ; Water

Many kinds of membrane have been used for the guided bone regeneration (GBR) technique. However, most membranes do not fulfill all requirements for the ideal membrane for the GBR technique. Among them, collagen membrane has been most widely used. However, its high price and weak tensile strength in wet condition are limitations for wide clinical application. Synthetic polymers have also been used for the GBR technique. Recently, silk based membrane has been considered as a membrane for the GBR technique. Despite many promising preclinical data for use of a silk membrane, clinical data regarding the silk membrane has been limited. However, silk based material has been used clinically as vessel-tie material and an electrospun silk membrane was applied successfully to patients. No adverse effect related to the silk suture has been reported. Considering that silk membrane can be provided to patients at a cheap price, its clinical application should be encouraged.
Bone Regeneration* ; Collagen ; Humans ; Membranes* ; Polymers ; Silk ; Sutures ; Tensile Strength

OBJECTIVES: The silk patch is a thin transparent patch that is produced from silk fibroin. In this study, we investigated the treatment effects of the silk patch in patients with traumatic tympanic membrane perforation (TTMP). METHODS: The closure rate, otorrhea rate, and closure time in all patients and the closure time in successful patients were compared between the paper patch and silk patch groups. RESULTS: Demographic data (gender, site, age, traumatic duration, preoperative air-bone gap, and perforation size and location) were not significantly different between the two groups. The closure rate and otorrhea rate were not significantly different between the two groups. However, the closure time was different between the two groups (closure time of all patients, P=0.031; closure time of successful patients, P=0.037). CONCLUSION: The silk patch which has transparent, elastic, adhesive, and hyper-keratinizing properties results in a more efficient closure time than the paper patch in the treatment of TTMP patients. We therefore believe that the silk patch should be recommended for the treatment of acute tympanic membrane perforation.
Adhesives ; Ear, Middle ; Fibroins ; Humans ; Silk* ; Tympanic Membrane Perforation*

The ideal suture for use in ophthalmic surgery is one that is fine yet strong, non-irritant, and non allergic, predictably and reliably absorbed after a suitable period of time, and with good knot holding properties. Polyglactin (Vicryl) 8-0 suture, newly developed absorbable suture was used in 10 cases of cataract extractions and trabeculectomy, The results were excellent with minimal complications. comparing with ordinary 10-0 monofilament nylon or 8-0 virgin silk.
Cataract Extraction* ; Cataract* ; Nylons ; Polyglactin 910* ; Silk ; Sutures* ; Trabeculectomy*