Significant advances in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery have made it possible to treat deep burn wounds with minimal scarring.
According to Radio Salamat Public Relations, Dr. Hamidreza Alizadeh, a full professor at Iran University of Medical Sciences and a specialist in plastic surgery, referred to the general sensitivity to the visible effects of burns, especially in women, and said: Burn wounds are sometimes very deep and their healing process is long; but with modern plastic surgery methods, this process can be accelerated and the appearance of the skin can be improved.
Stating that modern cellular dressings such as amniotic membrane play an important role in the treatment of burn wounds, he added: In recent studies, the effect of these dressings has been clearly proven in children under 14 years of age; Even third-degree wounds can heal and reduce their severity using these methods.
Alizadeh then referred to plastic surgery methods and said: In cases such as burns to the neck area that may lead to severe contractions and airway obstruction, the use of local or free flaps can preserve the vital function of the area and restore its appearance.
Explaining the difference between flaps and skin grafts, he stated: In skin grafts, only the skin is moved; but in flaps, living tissue along with vessels and nerves is transferred from another area to the site of injury. These methods include local, regional, and free flaps, which are selected depending on the severity of the injury and its location.
Alizadeh pointed out the use of the “expander blade” tool in scalp repair and said: “In cases where a burn has caused hair loss in an area of the head, healthy skin can be expanded and transferred to the damaged area using this balloon-shaped tool; a method that in some cases is performed without leaving a scar.”
Emphasizing the importance of aesthetics in burn treatment, especially in women, he added: “In many cases, the appearance of the damaged area can be restored with modern techniques in a way that minimizes the scar. Of course, the level of success depends on the location of the injury, the severity of the burn, and individual conditions.”
Referring to the increase in public awareness about reconstructive surgeries, the full professor at Iran University of Medical Sciences and a specialist in plastic surgery said: “With the expansion of cyberspace, patients are gaining more information about treatment methods, and this has led patients to visit doctors with greater awareness.” However, there is still a common perception that plastic surgeons work solely in the field of aesthetics, while an important part of our work is reconstructive treatments for burn patients.
