BACKGROUND: The management of chronic wounds presents a challenge for surgeons. In this pilot study, the authors established a novel auto-grafting approach for chronic wounds and evaluated its efficacy.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this pilot study was to observe the clinical efficacy of granulation-embedded skin grafting for the treatment of chronic wounds at high altitudes.
METHODS: The data of 45 patients with chronic wounds were obtained from the medical records of the Yushu People\'s Hospital. Patients were divided into stamp skin-grafting and granulation-embedded skin-grafting groups. Skin graft survival rate, wound coverage rate, and wound-healing time were observed and recorded. The length of hospital stay and 1% total body surface area (TBSA) treatment cost were compared.
RESULTS: Significant differences were noted in skin graft survival rate (94% ± 3% vs 86% ± 3%, P < .01), wound coverage rate on postoperative day 7 (61% ± 16% vs 54% ± 18%, P < .01), and wound-healing times (23 ± 2.52 days vs 31 ± 3.61 days, P < .05). The length of hospital stay and 1% TBSA treatment cost were significantly reduced in the granulation-embedded skin grafting group (P < .05).
CONCLUSIONS: Granulation-embedded skin grafting can improve the healing of chronic wounds at high altitudes. These findings provide a new approach to the clinical treatment of chronic wounds.

UNASSIGNED: Conventional flap repair surgery has several drawbacks, including operational complexity, donor site damage, and high risk. In this case series, the authors explored an alternative approach for repairing exposed tendon wounds caused by trauma using absorbable gelatin sponges (AGSs) and autologous thigh skin grafts. This report presents two cases of lower-extremity skin necrosis with tendon exposure following wound debridement. The treatment approach involved early debridement, negative-pressure wound therapy, and wound irrigation with 0.9% sodium chloride. Upon achieving controlled wound infection, AGSs were applied to the exposed tendon to prevent degeneration and promote wound healing. Subsequently, areas where granulation tissue failed to cover the tendon were repaired using AGSs and 0.25-mm-thick autologous mesh skin grafts harvested from the thigh. Complete wound healing was achieved in both cases, on the 20th and 12th day after skin grafting, respectively. The proposed method proved successful in repairing exposed tendon wounds, effectively preventing infection and necrosis.

The longevity of grafts remains a major challenge in allogeneic transplantation due to immune rejection. Systemic immunosuppression can impair graft function and can also cause severe adverse effects. Here, we report a local immuno-protective strategy to enhance post-transplant persistence of allografts using a mesenchymal stem cell membrane-derived vesicle (MMV)-crosslinked hydrogel (MMV-Gel). MMVs are engineered to upregulate expression of Fas ligand (FasL) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1). The MMVs are retained within the hydrogel by crosslinking. The immuno-protective microenvironment of the hydrogel protects allografts by presenting FasL and PD-L1. The binding of these ligands to T effector cells, the dominant contributors to graft destruction and rejection, results in apoptosis of T effector cells and generation of regulatory T cells. We demonstrate that implantation with MMV-Gel prolongs the survival and function of grafts in mouse models of allogeneic pancreatic islet cells and skin transplantation.

The skin, being a multifaceted organ, performs a pivotal function in the complicated wound-healing procedure, which encompasses the triggering of several cellular entities and signaling cascades. Aberrations in the typical healing process of wounds may result in atypical scar development and the establishment of a persistent condition, rendering patients more vulnerable to infections. Chronic burns and wounds have a detrimental effect on the overall quality of life of patients, resulting in higher levels of physical discomfort and socio-economic complexities. The occurrence and frequency of prolonged wounds are on the rise as a result of aging people, hence contributing to escalated expenditures within the healthcare system. The clinical evaluation and treatment of chronic wounds continue to pose challenges despite the advancement of different therapeutic approaches. This is mainly owing to the prolonged treatment duration and intricate processes involved in wound healing. Many conventional methods, such as the administration of growth factors, the use of wound dressings, and the application of skin grafts, are used to ease the process of wound healing across diverse wound types. Nevertheless, these therapeutic approaches may only be practical for some wounds, highlighting the need to advance alternative treatment modalities. Novel wound care technologies, such as nanotherapeutics, stem cell treatment, and 3D bioprinting, aim to improve therapeutic efficacy, prioritize skin regeneration, and minimize adverse effects. This review provides an updated overview of recent advancements in chronic wound healing and therapeutic management using innovative approaches.

BACKGROUND: Titanium mesh cranioplasty is the most common strategy for the repair of skull defects. However, as the frequency of cranioplasty increases, the incidence of titanium mesh exposure following cranioplasty increases as well. This study aimed to investigate the methods and outcomes of plastic surgery in the management of titanium mesh exposure following cranioplasty.
METHODS: Patients with titanium mesh exposure following cranioplasty were retrospectively selected from January 2016 to August 2021. Titanium mesh exposure was corrected with reconstructive plastic surgery, including skin grafting, expander insertion, partial removal of the exposed mesh, replacement of the mesh, or flap transplantation.
RESULTS: This study included 21 patients with titanium mesh exposure with surgical site infection and a variant of scalp deformity. The age of the patients ranged from 18 to 74 years, with the mean age being 54 years. All patients underwent reconstructive plastic surgery and exhibited complete wound healing. The follow-up period ranged from 17 to 90 months. One patient experienced titanium mesh re-exposure and subsequently underwent an additional procedure for the partial removal of the exposed mesh. No serious complications were observed postoperatively.
CONCLUSIONS: Reconstructive plastic surgery can facilitate wound healing at the titanium mesh exposure site following cranioplasty. However, an individualized treatment strategy is required for each patient, and complications should be managed by adopting standard measures.

Preservation and restoration of hand function after burn injuries are challenging yet imperative. This study aimed to assess the curative effect of a composite skin graft over an acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and a thick split-thickness skin graft (STSG) for treating deep burns on the hand. Patients who met the inclusion criteria at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between September 2011 and January 2020 were retrospectively identified from the operative register. We investigated patient characteristics, time from operation to the start of active motion exercise, take rates of skin graft 7 days post-surgery, donor site recovery, complications and days to complete healing. Patients were followed up for 12 months to evaluate scar quality using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and hand function through total active motion (TAM) and the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT). A total of 38 patients (52 hands) who received thin STSG on top of the ADM or thick STSG were included. The location of the donor sites was significantly different between Group A (thick STSG) and Group B (thin STSG + ADM) (p = 0.03). There were no statistical differences in age, gender, underlying disease, cause of burn, burn area, dominant hand, patients with two hands operated on and time from burn to surgery between the two groups (p > 0.05). The time from operation to the start of active motion exercise, take rates of skin graft 7 days post-surgery and days to complete healing were not significantly different between Group A and Group B (p > 0.05). The rate of donor sites requiring skin grafting was lower in Group B than in Group A (22.2% vs. 100%, p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in complications between the groups (p = 0.12). Moreover, 12 months postoperatively, the pliability subscore in the VSS was significantly lower in Group A than in Group B (p = 0.01). However, there were no statistically significant differences in vascularity (p = 0.42), pigmentation (p = 0.31) and height subscores (p = 0.13). The TAM and JTHFT results revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups (p = 0.22 and 0.06, respectively). The ADM combined with thin STSG is a valuable approach for treating deep and extensive hand burns with low donor site morbidity. It has a good appearance and function in patients with hand burns, especially in patients with limited donor sites.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this article is to introduce a method that combines limited debridement and ReCell® autologous cell regeneration techniques for the treatment of deep second-degree burn wounds.
METHODS: A total of 20 patients suffered with deep second-degree burns less than 10% of total body surface area (TBSA) who were admitted to our department, from June 2019 to June 2021, participated in this study. These patients first underwent limited debridement with an electric/pneumatic dermatome, followed by the ReCell® technique for secondary wounds. Routine treatment was applied to prevent scarring after the wound healed. Clinical outcomes were scored using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS).
RESULTS: All wounds of the patients healed completely. One patient developed an infection in the skin graft area and finally recovered by routine dressing changes. The average healing time was 12 days (range: 10-15 days). The new skin in the treated area was soft and matched the colour of the surrounding normal skin and the VSS score ranged from 3~5 for each patient. Of the 20 patients, 19 were very satisfied and 1 was satisfied.
CONCLUSIONS: This article reports a useful treatment method that combines electric dermatome-dependent limited debridement and the ReCell® technique for the treatment of deep second-degree burn wounds. It is a feasible and effective strategy that is easy to implement and minimally invasive, and it is associated with a short healing time, mild scar formation and little damage to the donor skin area.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of human acellular dermal matrix (HADM) combined with split-thickness skin graft in repairing lacunar soft tissue defects of the lateral heel after calcaneal fracture.
METHODS: From June 2018 to October 2020, providers repaired 11 cases of lacunar soft tissue defects at the lateral part of the heel using HADM combined with split-thickness skin graft. After thorough debridement, the HADM was trimmed and filled into the lacunar defect area. Once the wound was covered, a split-thickness skin graft and negative-pressure wound therapy were applied. Providers evaluated the appearance, scar, ductility of the skin graft site, appearance of the donor site, healing time, and any reoperation at follow-up.
RESULTS: Of the 11 cases, 8 patients achieved successful wound healing by primary intention. Three patients showed partial necrosis in the edge of the skin graft, but the wound healed after standard wound care. Evaluation at 6 and 12 months after surgery showed that all patients had wound healing and mild local scarring; there was no obvious pigmentation or scar formation in the donor skin area. The average healing time was 37.5 days (range, 24-43 days).
CONCLUSIONS: The HADM combined with split-thickness skin graft is a simple and effective reconstruction method for lacunar soft tissue defect of the lateral heel after calcaneal fracture. In this small sample, the combination demonstrated few infections, minor scar formation, few donor site complications, and relatively short hospital stays.

OBJECTIVE: The repair of small and medium-sized defects in the oral has always been a challenge, free skin flap and distal pedicled tissue flaps are difficult to meet clinical needs, and the traditional under-chin flap has the risk of donor-area injury. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of V-shaped folded submental flap in the repair of small-sized and medium-sized oral defects.
METHODS: The clinical data of 28 patients with oral defect lesions, who were hospitalized in the Department of Stomatology, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from March 2019 to December 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into a V-shaped folded group (17 cases) and a conventional group (11 cases) according to different surgical methods. The V-shaped folded group was treated with a V-shaped folded submental flap for postoperative soft tissue repair, while the conventional group was treated with a conventional submental flap for repair. The postoperative follow-up time was 6-48 months. The survival status, repair time, and repair effect of the 2 groups were compared.
RESULTS: There was no significant difference in flap survival rate, flap size, flap preparation time, repair surgery time, and postoperative hospital stay between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). At 6 months after the surgery, the V-shaped folded group had no difficulty in raising the head or everting the lower lip, no \"cat ear\" deformity in the submental skin. Scars in the V-shaped folding group were hidden at the lower edge of the mandible. The wound aesthetics and functional scores in the V-shaped folded group were significantly higher than those in the conventional group (both P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: The V-shaped foldable submental flap has the advantages of flexible design, simple preparation, reliable blood supply, and protection of the donor area, which can effectively protect the appearance of the chin and avoid functional disorders.
目的: 口腔中小型缺损修复一直是一个难题，游离皮瓣和远位带蒂组织瓣难以满足临床需求，传统颏下皮瓣存在供区损伤风险。本研究旨在探讨V型折叠颏下皮瓣修复口腔中小型缺损的疗效。方法: 回顾性分析2019年3月至2022年12月中南大学湘雅三医院口腔科收治的28例口腔黏膜病变患者的临床资料。根据颏下皮瓣手术方式的不同将患者分为V型折叠组(17例)和传统组(11例)，V型折叠组采用V型折叠颏下皮瓣进行术后软组织修复，传统组采用传统颏下皮瓣进行修复，患者术后随访6~48个月。比较2组皮瓣存活情况、皮瓣修复时间以及皮瓣修复效果。结果: 2组皮瓣存活率、皮瓣大小、制瓣时间、修复手术时间和术后住院时间差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。术后6个月，V型折叠组无抬头困难和下唇外翻，无皮肤“猫耳”畸形，疤痕隐藏于下颌骨下缘处，创面美观度、功能评分均明显高于传统组(均P<0.05)。结论: V型折叠颏下皮瓣具有设计灵活、制备简单、血供可靠、保护供区等优点，可以有效维持颏部美观和避免功能障碍。.

UNASSIGNED: To investigate the accuracy of positioning perforator of medial sural artery with three-dimensional ultrasound technique guided by a wide band linear matrix array volume transducer probe before operation, and the effectiveness of the flap design based on this in repairing the dorsal foot wounds.
UNASSIGNED: Between January 2019 and December 2022, 30 patients with skin and soft tissue defects of the dorsal foot were treated. There were 19 males and 11 females, with an average age of 43.9 years (range, 22-63 years). There were 12 cases of traffic accident injury, 15 cases of heavy crushing injury, and 3 cases of machine injury. The time from injury to hospitalization was 1-8 hours (mean, 3.5 hours). The wounds in size of 5 cm×3 cm to 17 cm×5 cm were thorough debrided and covered with vacuum sealing drainage dressing. Then the wounds were repaired with the medial sural artery perforator flaps after no obvious infection observed. To obtain the complete three-dimensional image, the number and position of the medial sural artery perforator branches and the position of the main blood vessels in the muscle were detected and recorded by wide band linear matrix array volume transducer probe before operation. Suitable perforating branches were selected to design the flap and guide the flap incision on this basis. The size of the perforating flap ranged from 6 cm×4 cm to 18 cm×6 cm. The sensitivity and positive predictive value were calculated by comparing preoperative exploration with intraoperative observation of perforating branches, so as to evaluate the positioning accuracy of three-dimensional ultrasound technique. The donor sites were sutured directly in 25 cases and repaired with free skin grafting in 5 cases.
UNASSIGNED: The 60 perforating branches of medial sural artery were found before operation and 58 during operation in 30 patients. Among them, pre- and intra-operative perforations were consistent with 56. The sensitivity was 93.3% and positive predictive value was 96.6%. The intramuscular position and route of the main blood vessels were basically consistent with the pre- and intra-operative observation. All flaps survived and wounds healed by first intention. All incisions at the donor sites healed by first intention, and all skin grafts survived. All patients were follow up 9-24 months (mean, 14.7 months). The appearance, color, and texture of the flaps were good, and no obvious effect on wearing shoes and walking. At last follow-up, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hind score ranged from 80 to 92, with an average of 87.5. The patient satisfaction was excellent in 29 cases and good in 1 case.
UNASSIGNED: The three-dimensional ultrasound technique guided by the wide band linear matrix array volume transducer probe can accurately locate the perforating branch of the medial sural artery, and the three-dimensional imaging is more intuitive, which can be used to guide the design and incision of the medial sural artery perforator flap.
UNASSIGNED: 探讨对腓肠内侧动脉穿支皮瓣采用宽频线阵容积探头引导下三维超声技术定位穿支的准确性，以及基于此设计皮瓣修复足背创面的疗效。.
UNASSIGNED: 2019年1月—2022年12月，收治30例足背皮肤软组织缺损患者。男19例，女11例；年龄22～63岁，平均43.9岁。致伤原因：交通事故伤12例，重物压砸伤15例，机器伤3例。受伤至入院时间1～8 h，平均3.5 h。彻底清创后创面范围为5 cm×3 cm～17 cm×5 cm，予以封闭式负压引流敷料覆盖，待创面无明显感染后行腓肠内侧动脉穿支皮瓣修复。术前采用宽频线阵容积探头对腓肠内侧动脉穿支及主干血管进行探测，获得完整三维图像，记录穿支数量、位置以及主干血管在肌肉内位置、走行方式，并在此基础上选择合适穿支设计皮瓣及指导皮瓣切取；术中皮瓣切取范围6 cm×4 cm～18 cm×6 cm。将术前探测与术中观察的穿支进行对比，计算敏感度及阳性预测值，评估三维超声技术定位穿支的准确性。供区直接拉拢缝合25例，游离植皮修复5例。.
UNASSIGNED: 30例患者术前探测发现60支腓肠内侧动脉穿支、术中发现58支，其中术前与术中相符穿支56支，敏感度93.3%、阳性预测值96.6%；术前探测及术中观察主干血管在肌肉内位置、走行方式基本相符。术后皮瓣均顺利成活，创面Ⅰ期愈合；供区切口均Ⅰ期愈合，植皮成活。患者均获随访，随访时间9～24个月，平均14.7个月。皮瓣外观、色泽、质地良好，穿鞋及行走无明显影响；末次随访时美国矫形足踝协会（AOFAS）踝与后足功能评分为80～92分，平均87.5分；患者满意度达优29例、良1例。.
UNASSIGNED: 宽频线阵容积探头引导下三维超声技术定位腓肠内侧动脉穿支准确，三维成像更直观，可用于指导腓肠内侧动脉穿支皮瓣设计及切取。.