Techniques for Decreasing Scar Formation and Contractures in the Burned Patient

Fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and wound contraction

“…This view is consistent with commonplace surgical experience that increased skin tension contributes to increased scarring (Arem et al, 1976;Burgess et al, 1990). Moreover, it helps explain the role of external pressure in reducing wound contracture (Larson et al, 1971;Rockwell et al, 1989 …”

The treatment of nonburn hypertrophyic scars using a custom fitted facemask

“…Described centuries ago it became popularized by Larson in the 1970's [10,11,18]. The initial studies on why pressure works on hypertrophic scars dealt with cellular morphology, biochemical analysis and immunological characteristics [6].…”

Management of contractural deformities involving the axilla (shoulder), elbow, hip, knee, and ankle joints in burn patients

“…[2][3][4][5] For more than three decades, a neck brace, a three-point extension splint, and a molded brace fabricated from thermoplastic materials, the prototypes of devices used to splint the neck, elbow and the knee joints, were used in the management of burn patients at the Shriners Burns Hospital and the University of Texas Medical Branch Hospitals in Galveston, Texas. An 'airplane splint' similarly made of thermoplastic materials was also used to splint the axilla during the period where the use of other splinting and bracing techniques, such as a 'fi gureof-eight' bandage, is not feasible.…”