Epidemiology of violence in pediatric and adolescent nasal fracture compared with adult nasal fracture: An 8-year study

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of nasal fractures varies according to factors such as the era and area of the study, as well as the age of the patient. We compared the characteristics and causes of pediatric nasal fractures. METHODS: A total of 2,321 patients with nasal fractures from 2010 to 2017 were examined. The patients were divided into age groups using the Korean school system of age classification. The causes of injury were divided into five groups: violence, fall or slip down, sports, road traffic accidents, and others. Fractures were classified using the Stranc and Robertson standard: vector of force and plane of fracture. RESULTS: Violence was the most common cause of nasal fracture in patients older than 12 years. Violence was a significantly less frequent cause among patients younger than 12 years old than among adolescent and adult patients. Nasal fractures due to violence were not observed in patients younger than 10 years. Plane 2 and lateral force fractures were the most common; however, in patients younger than 12 years, frontal force fractures were significantly more frequent than were lateral force fractures. CONCLUSION: As children may simply be injured due to a fall or slip down, it is important for the parents and guardians to ensure their safety. As they become older, children should abstain from violence and be monitored. It is therefore very important to ensure that the environment is free of violence in order to prevent such injuries.

Application of a paste-type acellular dermal matrix for coverage of chronic ulcerative wounds

BACKGROUND: Chronic wounds occur due to failure of the normal healing process, associated with a lack of deposition of cellular components and a suitable microenvironment such as the extracellular matrix (ECM). Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is viewed as an ECM substitute, and a paste-type ADM has recently been introduced. We hypothesized that CGPaste, an injectable paste-type ADM, could serve as a scaffold and promote wound healing. METHODS: We retrospectively studied seven patients in whom CGPaste was applied between 2017 and 2018, who had pressure ulcers, necrotizing fasciitis, diabetic foot ulcers, traumatic defects, and osteomyelitis. The goal of applying CGPaste was to achieve complete wound healing with re-epithelialization or growth of granulation tissue, depending upon the wound bed status. CGPaste was injected based on the wound size along with the application of a dressing. RESULTS: Four of the seven patients showed granulation tissue on their wound bed, while the other three patients had a bony wound bed. The mean wound area was 453.57 mm2 and the depth was 10.71 mm. Wound healing occurred in five of the seven patients (71.43%). The mean duration of complete healing was 2.4 weeks. Two patients showed failure due to paste absorption (29.57%); these patients had wound beds comprising bone with relatively large and deep wounds (40×30 and 30×20 mm2 in area and 15 and 10 mm in depth). CONCLUSIONS: CGPaste is an effective option for coverage of small and deep chronic wounds for which a flap operation or skin grafting is unfeasible.

Topical Administration of the Recombinant Human Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Containing Ointment on the Tendon Exposed Skin Defect in Foot Digit: A Case Report

Contact burn is usually caused by prolonged contact to hot material and results in deep dermal injury. As a result, skin and soft tissue defects occur, and coverage of defect is required. When defect is located in the foot phalanxes, reconstruction becomes more challenging owing to anatomical features. If the patient has medical histories such as diabetes mellitus, peripheral arterial obstructive disease, or chronic kidney disease, peripheral circulation may be worsened, and reconstruction becomes more difficult. We present the case of a patient with contact burn wound on his foot phalanxes and dorsum, where extensor digitorum tendons were exposed. Initial trial of skin graft was failed and they were completely epithelialized through secondary-intention healing with the administration of ointment containing recombinant human epidermal growth factor.