Due to the complex three-dimensional structure of the nose, the repair of the nasal defect requires reconstruction of three different layers: skin envelope, osteocartilaginous framework and nasal lining. Before nasal reconstruction can be accomplished, the nose must rest on a stable platform to avoid late nasal obstructions, and septal deviations resulting from scar contraction. We present thre...

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) affects approximately 1 in 3,500 live male births [1]. It is caused by a large variety of mutations in the dystrophin gene. Because of these mutations, the body can no longer make dystrophin which is a protein important for stabilisation of the muscle cell during a contraction. Without dystrophin, muscle cells are damaged and slowly replaced by fat and scar tis...

Background Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) aims to reduce dyssynchronous contraction through simultaneous pacing of the right ventricular (RV) septum and left ventricular (LV) lateral wall. Up to 40% of patients do not respond, largely attributed to lack of dysynchrony and/ or transmural scar at pacing sites. In this pilot study we tested the feasibility of guiding LV and RV leads to “o...

BACKGROUND Right ventricular free wall (RVFW) ischemia impairs global RV performance and may result in acute hemodynamic compromise. However, RV function and hemodynamic performance typically improve spontaneously over time. This study was designed to determine whether reperfusion facilitates recovery of function in the ischemic right ventricle. METHODS AND RESULTS Closed chest dogs underwent...

Introduction Since the 1980s, the use of autologous fat grafting has been growing in plastic surgery. Recently, this procedure has come to be used as a treatment for keloids and hypertrophic scars mainly due to the lack of satisfactory results with other techniques. So far, however, it lacks more consistent scientific evidence to recommend its use. The aim of this study was to review the curren...

Hypertrophic and keloid scars are the result of unknown abnormalities in the wound healing process. The aim of this study was to develop physiologically relevant, human in vitro abnormal scar models for hypertrophic and keloid scars and compare these to normotrophic scars and normal skin to identify dierences in the pathogenesis of different scars. Keratinocytes and broblasts from normal skin a...

BACKGROUND Texture, color, and durability are important characteristics to consider for skin replacement in conspicuous and/or mobile regions of the body such as the face, neck, and hands. Although autograft thickness is a known determinant of skin quality, few studies have correlated the subjective and objective characters of skin graft healing with their associated morphologic and cellular pr...

Patients with burn scars often experience functional problems because of scar contractures. Surgical treatment may be indicated for those burn scar contractures. If the contractures are small and linear, the contraction bands can be treated with local transposition flaps like the Z-plasty. Broader, diffuse contractures are more challenging and require a different surgical approach, such as the ...