Immediate Results of the Use of Split-Thickness Skin Autografts With and Without Acellular Dermal Matrix in Patients with Burns: A Comparative Study in a Colombian Population.

Dermal substitutes have become fundamental tools for covering skin defects, most recently with biological subtypes such as glycerolized acellular dermal matrix (GADM). However, literature regarding this matter is scarce in Latin America and Colombia. In this descriptive observational study, we compared the use of partial skin autografts (PSA) combined with GADM and autografts without GADM. Patients were selected from the burn unit of a hospital in northeastern Colombia between 2021 and 2022. Two study groups were defined: one receiving GADM plus PSA and the other control receiving only a partial split-thickness autograft. A total of 29 patients with 68 body areas were included, with an average age of 20 years. Most cases involved third-degree burns caused by flame. Hospitalization time was the same for both groups (41 days). The percentage of grafts taken was similar in both groups; in the GADM with autografts group, it was 94.7% compared with 96% in the control group. The presence of complications was similar in both groups. GADM produced in local tissue banks is a cost-effective alternative. It can be used in a single surgical procedure without increasing complications, providing a postsurgical course similar to autografts alone. Granting the potential long-term benefits that dermal matrices give for healing in these patients, which should be evaluated in subsequent studies.

Principios en técnicas de suturas de piel: una guía para estudiantes / Principles of skin suture techniques: a student guide

Resumen Introducción: las heridas en la piel son un evento altamente frecuente en los servicios de urgencias, las cuales en su mayoría van a requerir ser suturadas por el personal de salud disponible, tratando de lograr buenos resultados funcionales y cosméticos. Este procedimiento puede definirse como la aproximación de los bordes de una herida por medio de puntos, utilizando suturas, instrumental quirúrgico y agujas adecuadas dependiendo del área lesionada; para lograr una adecuada sutura se requieren conceptos claros como tipo de sutura y aguja, técnica quirúrgica, localización anatómica de la herida y cierre sin tensión. Objetivo: guiar la adecuada práctica de técnicas de suturas de piel por parte de estudiantes y profesionales en el área de la salud. Temática: en este artículo se realizó una descripción precisa de cada uno de los pasos para lograr una adecuada sutura de piel, priorizando en el uso de ilustraciones para alcanzar un mejor aprendizaje. Conclusiones: los resultados en la realización de una sutura de piel dependerán de un adecuado conocimiento y uso del material e instrumental quirúrgico además del dominio de los principios básicos de la técnica quirúrgica. MÉD.UIS. 2018;31(2):65-76.

Abstract Introduction: skin wounds are a highly frequent event presenting in the emergency department, most of which require to be sutured by the health care givers available at the moment, while trying to obtain good functional and aesthetic results. This procedure can be defined as the approximation of wound edges by stitches requiring special surgical instruments and sutures depending on the affected area; to accomplish an adequate skin suture clear concepts of the different types of materials, surgical technique, anatomic location and free tension closure are needed. Objective: to provide an adequate guide in suture techniques to medical students and health care professionals. Methods: a precise description of the different steps to obtain an adequate skin suture is made in this article, giving great importance to the use of illustrations to facilitate a better learning process. Conclusions: the results obtained after the making of a skin suture will depend on adequate knowledge, the use of appropriate materials and instruments and the complete grasp of the basic principles in surgical technique. MÉD.UIS. 2018;31(2):65-76.