The latissimus dorsi flap with an implant: the most useful & proper breast reconstruction method for the young mastectomy patient

No abstract available.

The Effects of PolyMem(R) on the Wound Healing

Little objective information is avilable on the influence of occlusive dressings on the healing of cutaneous partial skin defect wounds. Our purpose was to examine the effects of occlusive dressing by using the synthetic dressing mateial, PolyMem in the management of 2nd degree burn wounds and donor sites of split thicknes skin graft and partial-thickness wounds in rabbits. New Zealand white rabbits, 12 to 14 weeks of age, were divided into 2 groups. Two partial thickness skin wounds measuring approximately 40x30 mm were induced using a scalpel on the back of each anesthetized animal. They were designated as group I (dressing with conventional method, n=15), group II (dressing with PolyMen, n=15). Each treated wound was individually covered with the assigned dressing immediately after wounding. Wound were examined and measured at 10 days to determine the extent of healing. By day 10, the PolyMem dressed wounds were approximately 67% healed, while all vaseline gauze dressed wounds were about 50% healed. Standardized 20 mm full-thickness biopsy wounds were treated for 10 days. Section of PolyMem group at POD 10 days showed complete epidermal regeneration above fibrotic dermis (H&E, x40). Section of conventional group at POD 10 days showed marginal epidermal regeneration (H&E, x40). 72 patients (44 patients with 2nd degree burn and 28 patients with skin graft donor sites) were divided into four groups. They were designated as group I (Burn patients with PolyMem, n=24), group II (Burn patients with conventional methods, n=24), group III (S.T.S.G. patients with PolyMem, n=14), group IV (S.T.S.G. patients with conventional methods, n=14). We investigated wound site pain, healing time, comfort and numbers of dressing change. As compared with the control group, the PolyMem dressed group had less pain, more rapid healing time, more comfort, less frequent dressing changes. From these results, we concluded that the occlusive dressing with PolyMem was an effective alternative to the conventional gauze dressig on the wound healing. Our results suggest tat PolyMem is one of the ideal dressing materials.