BACKGROUND:Postoperative results with Meek skin grafting in some patients with extremely severe burns have not been satisfactory,with problems of delayed healing or skin graft failure. There have been fewer studies on the treatment of patients with failed Meek skin grafting due to insufficient skin source. This study aimed to explore a treatment method for such patients. OBJECTIVE:To observe the curative effect of stamp-shaped skin allograft in the treatment of severe burns after Meek skin graft failure. METHODS:Twenty-three patients with extremely severe burns who were admitted at Department of Burns and Skin Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Medical University from August 2013 to August 2023 with poor healing after Meek skin grafting were enrolled and divided into allogeneic skin treatment group and dressing change group according to different treatment methods. There were 10 cases in the allograft group and 13 cases in the dressing change group. Preoperative hemoglobin,platelet count,albumin count,white blood cell count,neutrophil count,procalcitonin count,and positive rate of microbial culture before secondary Meek skin grafting were compared between two groups. Survival rate of skin grafts before and after the second operation were compared. The number of operations,incidence of sepsis,and wound scars at 3 months and 6 months after operation were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The preoperative hemoglobin,platelet count and albumin count in the allogeneic skin treatment group were significantly higher than those in the dressing change group (Z=-3.172,P=0.002;Z=-3.010,P=0.003;Z=-2.761,P=0.006). There was no significant difference in the preoperative white blood cell count and neutrophil count between the two groups before secondary Meek skin grafting (Z=1.148,P=0.251;Z=0.373,P=0.709),but the serum procalcitonin count in the allogeneic skin treatment group prior to the second operation was significantly lower than that in the dressing change group (Z=2.955,P=0.002). Burn patients in the dressing change group exhibited a higher microbial culture rate than those in the allogeneic skin treatment group (x2=6.303,P=0.029). The survival rate of skin grafts before the second operation in the allogeneic skin treatment group[(74.8±13.3)％]was significantly higher than that in the dressing change group[(58.4±14.2)％;t=2.85,P=0.01). The survival rate of skin grafts after the second stage operation in the allogeneic skin treatment group[(84.0±11.5)％]was significantly higher than that in the dressing change group[(67.6±20.7)％;t=2.24,P=0.03). The frequency of postoperative surgery in the allogeneic skin treatment group was less than that in the dressing change group (Z=2.27,P=0.02). The incidence of sepsis in the dressing change group was significantly higher than that in the allogeneic skin treatment group (x2=5.490,P=0.03). There was no significant difference in the Vancouver Scar Scale scores of the scars between the two groups at 3 and 6 months after operation (t=0.96,1.138,P>0.05). To conclude,stamp-shaped skin allograft has good curative effect in the treatment of wounds with poor healing of skin after Meek micro-transplantation. The utilization rate of skin in the later stage is significantly increased,which reduces the probability of wound infection and solves the problem of insufficient skin source.

BACKGROUND:Postoperative results with Meek skin grafting in some patients with extremely severe burns have not been satisfactory,with problems of delayed healing or skin graft failure. There have been fewer studies on the treatment of patients with failed Meek skin grafting due to insufficient skin source. This study aimed to explore a treatment method for such patients. OBJECTIVE:To observe the curative effect of stamp-shaped skin allograft in the treatment of severe burns after Meek skin graft failure. METHODS:Twenty-three patients with extremely severe burns who were admitted at Department of Burns and Skin Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Medical University from August 2013 to August 2023 with poor healing after Meek skin grafting were enrolled and divided into allogeneic skin treatment group and dressing change group according to different treatment methods. There were 10 cases in the allograft group and 13 cases in the dressing change group. Preoperative hemoglobin,platelet count,albumin count,white blood cell count,neutrophil count,procalcitonin count,and positive rate of microbial culture before secondary Meek skin grafting were compared between two groups. Survival rate of skin grafts before and after the second operation were compared. The number of operations,incidence of sepsis,and wound scars at 3 months and 6 months after operation were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The preoperative hemoglobin,platelet count and albumin count in the allogeneic skin treatment group were significantly higher than those in the dressing change group (Z=-3.172,P=0.002;Z=-3.010,P=0.003;Z=-2.761,P=0.006). There was no significant difference in the preoperative white blood cell count and neutrophil count between the two groups before secondary Meek skin grafting (Z=1.148,P=0.251;Z=0.373,P=0.709),but the serum procalcitonin count in the allogeneic skin treatment group prior to the second operation was significantly lower than that in the dressing change group (Z=2.955,P=0.002). Burn patients in the dressing change group exhibited a higher microbial culture rate than those in the allogeneic skin treatment group (x2=6.303,P=0.029). The survival rate of skin grafts before the second operation in the allogeneic skin treatment group[(74.8±13.3)％]was significantly higher than that in the dressing change group[(58.4±14.2)％;t=2.85,P=0.01). The survival rate of skin grafts after the second stage operation in the allogeneic skin treatment group[(84.0±11.5)％]was significantly higher than that in the dressing change group[(67.6±20.7)％;t=2.24,P=0.03). The frequency of postoperative surgery in the allogeneic skin treatment group was less than that in the dressing change group (Z=2.27,P=0.02). The incidence of sepsis in the dressing change group was significantly higher than that in the allogeneic skin treatment group (x2=5.490,P=0.03). There was no significant difference in the Vancouver Scar Scale scores of the scars between the two groups at 3 and 6 months after operation (t=0.96,1.138,P>0.05). To conclude,stamp-shaped skin allograft has good curative effect in the treatment of wounds with poor healing of skin after Meek micro-transplantation. The utilization rate of skin in the later stage is significantly increased,which reduces the probability of wound infection and solves the problem of insufficient skin source.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of Meek skin grafting combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in repairing of extensive deep burn wounds.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From August 2018 to August 2023, 44 patients who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, including 23 males and 21 females. Their age ranged from 22 to 62 years and the total burn area was 30%-80% total body surface area, the burns on limbs or torso were deep partial-thickness to full-thickness. According to the treatment process of deep burns on the limbs or torso, the patients were divided into observation group (21 cases) and control group (23 cases). patients in observation group were treated with Meek skin grafting combined with PRP at the same time, while patients in control group were treated with Meek skin grafting alone. The survival of Meek skin grafts was observed on the 10 th day after operation. The wound healing rate in the operation area of patients was observed on the 14 th day after operation. The postoperative wound healing time and positive rate of bacterial culture of wound secretion specimens were recorded. Results:On the 10 th day after operation, the skin grafting area of patients in observation group were dry, and the skin grafts adhered closely to the wound base with ruddy color, with a survival rate of (89±4)%; whereas in control group, some of Meek skin grafts fell off in the skin graft area, and the residual wounds were scattered in irregular map shape, accompanied by purulent secretions. The survival rate of skin grafts was (79±6)%, which was significantly lower than that in observation group ( t=6.72, P<0.05). On the 14 th day after operation, 19 patients in observation group had complete wound healing in the operation area, and the other 2 patients had small residual wounds, which healed after 1 week delay through dressing changes; in control group, the wounds in 12 patients healed completely, the wounds in 6 patients healed after supplementary stamp skin grafting, and the wounds in 5 patients healed with delay after routine dressing changes. The wound healing rate was significantly lower than that in observation group ( P<0.05). After operation, the wound healing time of the operation area of patients in observation group was (13.3±1.6) days, which was significantly shorter than (16.4±3.5) days in control group ( t=3.72, P<0.05); there was no statistically significant difference in the positive rate of bacterial culture of wound secretion specimens between observation group and control group after operation ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with Meek skin grafting alone, Meek skin grafting combined with autologous PRP can promote the survival of skin grafts, accelerate the expansion and fusion of skin grafts, and shorten the wound healing time, thereby improving the therapeutic effect in the repairing of extensive deep burn wounds.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of composite skin transplantation combined with systemic rehabilitation in the treatment of extensive scar contracture deformity around the popliteal fossa in children after burns.Methods:A retrospective observational research method was adopted. Seventeen children with extensive scar contracture deformities around the popliteal fossa after burns who met the inclusion criteria and were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from March 2018 to April 2022 were selected. Among them, there were 10 males and 7 females, aged 2-11 years, with scar contracture deformities lasting from 10 months to 9 years, all located around the popliteal fossa, 10 cases of right popliteal fossa, 5 cases of left popliteal fossa, 2 cases of bilateral popliteal fossa, scars around the popliteal fossa result in a knee joint extension angle of only 95° to 115°. The scar contracture during surgery was thoroughly released, joint mobility was restored, so as to form a secondary wound range of 10 cm×8 cm-20 cm×13 cm. In stage Ⅰ, after completely releasing the scar contracture, the wound was covered with negative pressure closure drainage (VSD) for 2-3 days. In stage Ⅱ, a large autologous blade thick scalp and allogeneic decellularized dermal matrix composite graft was performed to repair the wound around the popliteal fossa. After 8-10 days of surgery, the dressing was changed to check the survival of the skin graft. One week after the skin graft survived, a 12 month orderly knee joint function training was conducted under the guidance of a rehabilitation therapist. Postoperative sequential treatment with a combination of strong pulsed light and ultra pulsed carbon dioxide lattice laser for 5-7 courses of significant scar hyperplasia in the skin graft area and edges.Results:15 cases of pediatric patients had good skin graft survival; One patient developed a wound due to partial displacement of the transplanted autologous scalp, and one patient developed a plasma swelling under the limb graft, which was drained through an opening. Two patients underwent dressing changes for 3 weeks before the wound healed. After follow-up for 6 to 36 months, the elasticity and appearance of the skin graft were similar to those of a medium thickness skin graft. Children with knee joint contracture were able to fully extend to 180°, and knee joint function was significantly improved. There was no scar formation or hair loss in the donor skin area.Conclusions:The combination of composite skin transplantation and systematic rehabilitation has a good effect on the treatment of extensive scar contracture around the popliteal fossa in children after burns, avoiding the problem of scars left in the donor area due to autologous skin grafting.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of Meek skin grafting combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in repairing of extensive deep burn wounds.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From August 2018 to August 2023, 44 patients who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, including 23 males and 21 females. Their age ranged from 22 to 62 years and the total burn area was 30%-80% total body surface area, the burns on limbs or torso were deep partial-thickness to full-thickness. According to the treatment process of deep burns on the limbs or torso, the patients were divided into observation group (21 cases) and control group (23 cases). patients in observation group were treated with Meek skin grafting combined with PRP at the same time, while patients in control group were treated with Meek skin grafting alone. The survival of Meek skin grafts was observed on the 10 th day after operation. The wound healing rate in the operation area of patients was observed on the 14 th day after operation. The postoperative wound healing time and positive rate of bacterial culture of wound secretion specimens were recorded. Results:On the 10 th day after operation, the skin grafting area of patients in observation group were dry, and the skin grafts adhered closely to the wound base with ruddy color, with a survival rate of (89±4)%; whereas in control group, some of Meek skin grafts fell off in the skin graft area, and the residual wounds were scattered in irregular map shape, accompanied by purulent secretions. The survival rate of skin grafts was (79±6)%, which was significantly lower than that in observation group ( t=6.72, P<0.05). On the 14 th day after operation, 19 patients in observation group had complete wound healing in the operation area, and the other 2 patients had small residual wounds, which healed after 1 week delay through dressing changes; in control group, the wounds in 12 patients healed completely, the wounds in 6 patients healed after supplementary stamp skin grafting, and the wounds in 5 patients healed with delay after routine dressing changes. The wound healing rate was significantly lower than that in observation group ( P<0.05). After operation, the wound healing time of the operation area of patients in observation group was (13.3±1.6) days, which was significantly shorter than (16.4±3.5) days in control group ( t=3.72, P<0.05); there was no statistically significant difference in the positive rate of bacterial culture of wound secretion specimens between observation group and control group after operation ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with Meek skin grafting alone, Meek skin grafting combined with autologous PRP can promote the survival of skin grafts, accelerate the expansion and fusion of skin grafts, and shorten the wound healing time, thereby improving the therapeutic effect in the repairing of extensive deep burn wounds.

Objective:To investigate the effects of anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator flap in repairing complex wounds of foot and ankle.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted. From May 2018 to June 2022, 23 patients who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University to repair complex wounds of foot and ankle with anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator flaps, including 15 males and 8 females, aged from 20 to 66 years. The wounds were all accompanied by bone exposure and defects, and were complicated with varying degrees of infection. All patients underwent debridement and continuous vacuum sealing drainage treatment for 1 week in stage Ⅰ, with the skin and soft tissue defect area after debridement being 10 cm×5 cm to 22 cm×7 cm. In stage Ⅱ, the anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator flap was used to cover the defective wound, of which the muscle flap was used to fill the deep invalid cavity of the ankle joint or cover bone and internal fixation exposures, and the skin flap was used to cover the superficial wound, with the area of the skin flap ranging from 11 cm×6 cm to 23 cm×8 cm, and the area of the muscle flap ranging from 4.0 cm×2.5 cm to 8.0 cm×5.0 cm. The survival of the flap was observed after operation. During follow-up, the color, texture, appearance, and complications of the flap were observed, the function of ankle joint and its range of dorsiflexion motion and plantar flexion motion were measured, and the scar hyperplasia and muscular hernia in donor area were observed.Results:Ecchymosis and epidermal necrosis occurred at the tip of the flap in 1 patient on 5 days after operation and healed after dressing change for 1 week; the other flaps of patients survived successfully. After 6 to 40 months of follow-up, the color, texture, and shape of flaps were good, but 1 patient was not satisfied with the shape of the flap because of flap swelling; the ankle joint movement was basically normal, the dorsiflexion motion was 15-30°, and the plantar flexion motion was 20-45°; the scar hyperplasia in the donor area of the flap was not obvious, and no muscular hernia occurred.Conclusions:The anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator flap can effectively fill the deep invalid cavity of ankle joint and cover the superficial wound at the same time, with minimal damage to the donor site. So it is an ideal flap for repairing the complex wounds of foot and ankle.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of neuro-endoscopic evacuation and microsurgery via keyhole approach in early spontaneous supertentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods:A prospective multi-center randomized controlled trial was performed; 114 patients with spontaneous supertentorial ICH (time from onset to surgery<6 h) admitted to Departments of Neurosurgery, Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University, Jiangmen Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine of Yanbian University from January 2019 to December 2021 and met the surgical indications were selected. They were divided into endoscopic group (evacuation of intracerebral hematoma under neuroendoscope, n=71) and microscopic group (microsurgery of intracerebral hematoma via keyhole approach, n=43) according to different surgical methods. After 1:1 propensity score matching of the general data, surgical time, hematoma clearance rate, early postoperative re-bleeding rate, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores 7 d after surgery, activity of daily living (ADL) scores 6 months after surgery, mortality, and surgery-related complications of 66 patients (33 from each group after matching) were compared. Results:The difference of surgical time between endoscopic group and microscopic group was statistically significant (125[102, 157] mins vs. 175[125, 260] mins, P<0.05). However, hematoma clearance rate (93.00%[80.88%, 96.52%] vs. 93.31%[88.15%, 96.03%]), early postoperative re-bleeding rate (15.2% vs. 9.1%), GCS scores 7 d after surgery (13[10, 15] vs. 12[8, 14]), ADL scores 6 months after surgery (65[45, 85] vs. 55[0, 85]), mortality rate (18.2% vs. 21.2%) and incidences of postoperative intracranial infection and acquired pulmonary infection were not statistically significant between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Comparing with microsurgery via keyhole approach, neuro-endoscopy could shorten the surgical time, but not improve the prognosis or safety in early spontaneous supertentorial ICH patients.

Objective:To study the clinical value of left ventricle Tei index in evaluating hemodynamics after interventional therapy of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).Methods:From May 2017 to May 2019, 50 children with PDA who underwent interventional therapy (PDA group) and 27 healthy children (healthy control group) in Anhui Provincial Children’s Hospital were selected. The left ventricle Tei index, plasma brain natriuretic peptides (BNP), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVDD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were compared between 2 groups.Results:The left ventricle Tei index was not correlated with heart rate and age in 2 groups ( P>0.05). The left ventricle Tei index before operation in PDA group was significantly lower than that in healthy control group: 0.20(0.16, 0.25) vs. 0.27(0.20, 0.30), and there was statistical difference ( P<0.05). In PDA group, the left ventricle Tei index immediately, 3 d, 1 month and 3 months after operation was significantly higher than before operation: 0.38(0.29, 0.47), 0.32(0.26, 0.40), 0.30(0.27, 0.35) and 0.32(0.26, 0.37) vs. 0.20(0.16, 0.25), and there was statistical difference ( P<0.05); the plasma BNP immediately after operation was significantly lower than before operation: 288 (126, 433) ng/L vs. 582 (303, 1 675) ng/L, and there was statistical difference ( P<0.05); the LVDD 3 months after operation was significantly lower than before operation: (3.03 ± 0.54) cm vs. (3.38 ± 0.51) cm, and there was statistical difference ( P<0.05); the LVEF immediately after operation was significantly lower than before operation: (54.24 ± 6.09)% vs. (59.45 ± 5.93)%, the LVEF 1 and 3 months after operation was significantly higher than that immediately after operation: (63.18 ± 4.71)% and (65.46 ± 4.78)% vs. (54.24 ± 6.09)%, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The left ventricle Tei index before operation was negatively correlated with inner diameter of PDA and plasma BNP ( r = -0.362 and -0.388, P = 0.013 and 0.009), and there was no correlation between LVDD and LVEF ( r = -0.192 and -0.283, P = 0.229 and 0.053); the differences of Tei index before operation and immediately after operation (ΔTei) was positively correlated with inner diameter of PDA ( r = 0.325, P = 0.030), and there was no correlation with BNP, LVDD and LVEF ( r = 0.234, 0.283 and -0.039, P = 0.126, 0.076 and 0.798). Conclusions:The left ventricle Tei index can quickly and accurately assess the change of hemodynamics after interventional therapy of PDA.

Sepsis remains a leading cause of death in critical patients. Both excessive inflammatory response and long-term immunosuppression can lead to the death of sepsis patients. As a key pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-17 (IL-17) plays an important role in the body's inflammatory response and immune system. The signal transduction of IL-17 is a key link in maintaining the body's health and participating in the onset and development of sepsis. This review mainly summarizes and discusses the regulation of IL-17 signal transduction and pathogenic and protective role of IL-17 in sepsis.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effects of anterolateral thigh free flap with fascia lata in the repair of dura mater defect after resection of head squamous cell carcinoma.Methods:From June 2016 to June 2018, Xijing Hospital of Air Force Medical University applied the free transplantation of anterolateral thigh flap with fascia lata to repair the dura mater defect of 12 patients with head squamous cell carcinoma, including 9 males and 3 females, aged from 35 to 74 years. The size of scalp soft tissue defects in patients after carcinoma resection ranged from 12 cm×10 cm to 24 cm×21 cm, and the size of dura mater defect of patients ranged from 7 cm×6 cm to 16 cm×14 cm. The size of flap of patients ranged from 14 cm×12 cm to 27 cm×24 cm, and the size of fascia lata ranged from 8 cm×7 cm to 17 cm×15 cm. The superficial temporal artery and middle temporal vein were connected by end to end anastomosis with the first musculocutaneous perforating branch of the descending branch of lateral femoral artery and its accompanying vein. The flap donor area was transplanted with autologous split-thickness skin graft from trunk and fixed with packing. Postoperative survival of flaps and skin grafts was observed. The patients were followed up regularly. The cranial magnetic resonance imaging was performed to observe the recurrence of intracranial tumors and dural integrity, shape of the flap and whether the donor site region was left with significant dysfunction were observed.Results:All the flaps and skin grafts survived well in 12 patients after surgery. Ten patients had primary healing at the edge of the flap suture; 2 patients had local sinus tract formation at the suture site of flap, with a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and were recovered after outpatient dressing change. The patients were followed up for 10 to 36 months, and 3 patients with tumors involving in the dura mater sagittal sinus region had postoperative intracranial tumor recurrence. The tumor was resected again. All the patients had good dural integrity. The flaps of all patients were in good shape, and no obvious dysfunction remained in the flap donor site.Conclusions:Free transplantation of anterolateral thigh flap with fascia lata is an effective and reliable method to repair the dura mater defect following head squamous cell carcinoma resection. It can repair the scalp and dura mater defects caused by the invasion of squamous cell carcinoma and provide possibilities for skull reconstruction.