A study of the post-burned restored skin

The color of restored skin (RS) resulting from healing of partial skin thickness burns was analyzed. Comparisons within symmetric skin areas were performed between RS and healthy undamaged skin (HS), using spectrophotometry, in 118 subjects, 64 males, 54 females with an age range of 1-70 years. A total of 379 samples were analyzed. The CIE-1976 color system was adopted where L*, a* and b*, characterizes the sample color. L*, a* and b* values from restored and healthy skin were obtained and differences between them calculated. Age, sex, sun exposure and time span after burn were taken into account and the data was submitted to statistical analysis: Wilcoxon test for age and chi 2 for other variables. RS became darker: one year after the original burn; in subjects with sun exposure and in older subjects. Sex did not show any influence on brightness index. RS became more red in subjects with sun exposure; in older subjects; within the first six months after the burn. Sex did not show any influence on a* chromaticity axis. RS became more blue: in male subjects and within one year after the burn. Age and sun exposure did not yield any influence on b* chromaticity axis.

The tegument resulting from the healing of burns

First the authors conceptualized healed burns, the tegument resulting from the healing of burns (TRH), and the 4 main species of teguments: 1--Regenerated skin; 2--Restored skin; 3--Grafts and 4--Scars. One hundred patients at the Unit Burn from the Division of Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil, were then studied prospectively, and the respective teguments which resulted from the healing of the burns were analyzed in their qualitative and quantitative aspects. From the qualitative point of view, TRHs were classified into 7 types. The extensions of the species which comprised each type were calculated as a % of the TRH. From this analysis it was seen that restored skin was present in all patients and that pos-burn restored skin was the most frequent and most extensive species. It also became evident that restored skin has not been considered as such, since it has been incorrectly referred to as scar. From this qualitative and quantitative analysis a Quality Index was drawn up to objectively evaluate healed burns and, indirectly the caliber of the treatment carried out. It also become clear how heterogeneous are the teguments that make up healed burns and the importance of this fact for treating patients.