Citation

Anniboletti T, Palombo P, Delli Santi G. Journal of Applied Cosmetology 2016; 34(1-2): 41-47.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The reconstruction of large losses of substance through burns affecting the scalp in a full thickness-way is very demanding, especially when the cranial theca is exposed and has sustained heat damage. There are many surgical options: neighbouring flaps, autologous epidermal skin graft, dermal replacement graft with subsequent skin graft, galea flap with immediate thin epidermal skin graft. Dermal replacement and immediate cutaneous grafts could also be indicated, but this method has rarely been reported in specialist literature. We illustrate the case of a psychiatric patient who, in a suicide attempt by throwing his head into the flames of a fireplace gained a third-degree burn of a diameter of around 13 cm, also affecting the cranial theca, and a large burn of about 20% of the total body surface area. The treatment involved, in a single procedure: the removal of the lesion, including the non-vital bone part, the immediate implant of a dermal prothesis (Trademark: Matriderm® 1 mm) and the skin graft. The eschar of the trunk and the upper limbs was removed at the same time and the wound grafted with thin autologous skin. The patient was operated on the 5th day following the incident and discharged with a healed wound after 16 days from the surgery with new cutaneous coverage of the cranium of a good thickness and quality. The option of carrying out the entire reconstructive surgery in a single intervention was very useful for reducing recovery time and therefore facilitating the rapid healing of a difficult patient.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; burn; male; case report; suicide attempt; skull; mental patient; wound healing; antibiotic therapy; scalp; Article; outcome assessment; skin graft; body surface; bone injury; autotransplantation; engraftment; thickness; Artificial dermis; Burn calvaria exposure management; Matriderm®1mm; One stage reconstruction scalp burn; Scalp burn