ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Use of AlloDerm™ is highly suggested for the treatment of deep burns and burn sequela reconstruction. Scar formation and contracture are recognized as long-term consequences of split-thickness skin autografting, which is applied for full-thickness burn injuries. Mature fibroblasts, in the absence of dermis, seem to secrete collagen in the reformed scar pattern. OBJECTIVE: To process AlloDerm™ from fresh allograft and use it as a dermal substitute for covering deep wounds in burn patients and evaluate its effectiveness. METHODS: In this case-series, 7 patients with deep burn wounds involving different locations on the body surface were exposed to combined AlloDerm™ (processed from fresh human allograft) with thin split thickness skin autograft on it. On the 5th post-operative day, wound dressings were changed to evaluate the graft survival with the human acellular dermal matrix scaffold. To determine the skin profiles, follow-ups continued for at least 6 months. RESULTS: The results showed excellent graft take, good elasticity, acceptable thickness, and little contracture and scarring according to fix surgeon assessment in 6 patients. Graft rejection happened only in one patient with chronic electrical injury. CONCLUSION: AlloDerm™ derived from cadaver skin and combination of it with thin split thickness skin auto grafting constitute a cost-effective and favorable option for the treatment of deep burn wounds in our center, considering the increased tendency of the population towards organ donation in the event of brain death.
ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of this paper was to describe the prevalence of overweight (preobesity and obesity) among 7- to 13-year-old children in different parts of Jahrom City, Southern Iran, during 2008-2009. METHODS: A total of 1158 students (587 males and 571 females) aged 7-13 years were assessed over a period of 12 months. Schools were randomly selected in each district of the city, and the participating children were selected using stratified randomization for age, with the aid of a table of random numbers. Body Mass Index (BMI) was measured for each subject. We adopted the 5th, 85th and 95th percentiles of the CDC as cut-off points for thin, overweight and obese children, respectively, as generally accepted. RESULTS: Age of the children ranged from 7 to 13 years with a mean of 9.9 ± 1.6 years. A total of 58 boys (9.9%) and 57 girls (10%) were overweight, and the difference between them was not statistically significant. However, obesity was less prevalent among girls (4.9%) compared to boys (5.1%). CONCLUSION: In this survey, prevalence of obesity among girls and boys was 4.9% and 5.1%, respectively. The scope of prevalence of obesity is remarkable enough for a mid-size semi-industrialized society in comparison with heavy industrialized parts of Iran, thus there is an urgent need to target younger ages for prevention and implementation of public educational programs to curtail this rising trend of obesity in young men and women.
