Treatment of Keloids By Steroids With Biochemical Tests for Diagnosis and Prognosis

Safety and efficacy of suction-assisted lipectomy on irradiated skin and subcutaneous tissue

Reconstruction of soft tissue defects with standard myocutaneous or fasciocutaneous flaps often results in contour deformities due either to intrinsic characteristics of the flap or due to initial overcorrection of the defect when postoperative radiation therapy is planned. In such cases, revision with suction-assisted lipectomy is often necessary to achieve optimal cosmetic results. Since liposuction has been associated with decreased tissue perfusion, there remains significant concern that revision of irradiated flaps with liposuction places the patient at high risk for tissue necrosis and wound healing difficulty. To determine the safety of liposuction on irradiated tissue, the authors reviewed our experience of 9 patients treated for cancer with extirpation of tumor and immediate reconstruction with a free or pedicle flap. All patients required radiation therapy and ultimately underwent revision with liposuction due to contour irregularity. Flaps were treated with 60 to 64 Gy and between 30 and 300 mL of fat was removed at 6 weeks to 9 months after final dose of radiation therapy. All patients achieved improvement in contour with no significant fat or skin necrosis. We conclude that suction-assisted lipectomy of irradiated tissue is safe and effective for flap revision following conventional doses of radiation therapy.

Wound Healing: An Overview

Understanding wound healing today involves much more than simply stating that there are three phases: inflammation, proliferation, and maturation. Wound healing is a complex series of reactions and interactions among cells and "mediators." Each year, new mediators are discovered and our understanding of inflammatory mediators and cellular interactions grows. This article will attempt to provide a concise overview on wound healing and wound management.

Injection therapy with triamcinolone hexacetonide in the treatment of burn scars in infancy: results of 44 cases

In many cases deep second degree and third degree burns cause severe scarring. The authors have reported here their experience of the treatment of hypertrophic scarring from burns carried out on 44 children with intralesional injections of a long-acting cortico-steroid (Triamcinolone hexacetonide) using the jet spray technique.

Glucocorticosteroid inhibition of intraocular proliferation after injury

Perforating injuries were produced in the posterior segment of rabbit eyes. We studied the inhibitory effect of a slowly water-soluble corticosteroid, dexamethasone alcohol, on fibroblast growth. The treated group received a single intravitreal injection of 1 mg of the corticosteroid. The eyes were observed for four weeks. Transvitreal proliferation was significantly decreased and wound healing was delayed as compared to a control group. Inhibition of intraocular proliferation by high doses of intravitreally injected corticosteroid may be useful in the treatment of eyes with penetrating and perforating injuries.