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Full-thickness burn and other types of deep skin loss will result in scar formation. For at least partial replacement of the lost dermal layer, there are several options to use biotechnologically derived extracellular matrix components or tissue scaffolds of cadaver skin origin. In a survey, we have collected data on 18 pts who have previously received acellular dermal implant Alloderm. The age of these patients at the injury varied between 16 months and 84 years. The average area of the implants was 185 cm2. Among those, 15 implant sites of 14 patients were assessed at an average of 50 months after surgery. The scar function was assessed by using the modified Vancouver Scar Scale. We have found that the overall scar quality and function was significantly better over the implanted areas than over the surrounding skin. Also these areas received a better score for scar height and pliability. Our findings suggest that acellular dermal implants are especially useful tools in the treatment of full-thickness burns as well as postburn scar contractures.

Background The precise role of total body 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the clinical management of patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is not well established. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of PET/CT in early‐ and late‐stage patients with high‐risk CMM. Methods We retrospectively analysed various imaging, histopathological and clinical data from 97 patients also examined by PET/CT during a 5‐year period (2007–2011). Three groups were assessed: stage I/II, resected stage III and unresectable stage III/stage IV. Results The median follow‐up time of living patients was 43.48 ± 19.67 (15–142) months. We observed a high diagnostic accuracy in all stages (91.3%, 92.5% and 96.2% respectively). PET/CT appeared to be reliable diagnostic tool even for the detection of small lymph node metastases. PET/CT was informative in 14 of 19 cases wherein another imaging examination provided inconclusive results regarding lesion dignity. However, PET/CT was less suitable for properly evaluating the dignity of a lung lesion. A true positive scan was twice as likely in clinically negative patients with resected stage III disease than in patients with stage I/II disease (35.9% and 14.5%, P = 0.007). Conclusions These results confirm that PET/CT is an important diagnostic tool in the management of patients with high‐risk CMM, but it cannot replace the standard of care examinations. More accurate clinicopathological and timing criteria must be defined to best utilize the advantages of this imaging method.

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A sandwich graft was applied to the debrided cortical bone layer of the tibia in the case of a 72-year-old male patient with full-thickness necrotic burn injury. The combined graft consisted of a dermal template material and autologous split thickness skin graft. After application, the graft was found totally accepted and provided good functionality with acceptable appearance. Histopathologic evaluation revealed a complete take with revascularisation of the implant. Supporting lamellar bony trabecules were also seen in the deep dermal dermis representing a connection to the underlying bone. The use of the dermal matrix in deep burn exposing the bone provides a satisfactory functional result and good cosmetic appearance.