Study on skin pigmentation following burn and skin grafting

• Main Author: SARTORETTI, T.
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Université de Lausanne, Faculté de biologie et médecine 2020
• Subjects: burn; pigmentation; children; skin; graft; SCAR
• Online Access: https://serval.unil.ch/notice/serval:BIB_3F060FA78973; https://serval.unil.ch/resource/serval:BIB_3F060FA78973.P001/REF.pdf

BACKGROUND: Studies evaluating the relevant factors that affect skin graft changes in color over time in burned children have yet to be published OBJECTIVE: To conduct a study evaluating the skin color of infants victims of burns, and to follow how it evolves throughout time. The study will concern burned skin, grafted skin, skin where the graft was harvested and sane skin as a reference for comparison. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We will first have the acceptance of the local ethics committee. Children will be recruited during their routine appointments. A consent form will in all cases be signed by the child’s representative. The skin analysis will be done throughout the use of the Vancouver Scar Scale, the Fitzpatrick scale, a dermatospectrometer and laser Doppler Imaging. Measurements will compare the grafted skin to the contralateral sane body part, and then the graft’s donor sites. RESULTS: Due to the sanitary context of the year 2020, only very partial measurements have been realized, mostly because the physiotherapists responsible for the measurements were not available. Therefore, there is no exploitable data to be analyzed at this point in time. Even though, the ethics committee agreement and the materials necessary to the study are ready and will allow us to begin as soon as the situation normalizes. CONCLUSION: The study will follow its course in the upcoming years, and later results should prompt a publication if they offer viable insight on the subject.