Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine

Original Article: J Korean Acad Rehabil Med. 2007;31(5):582-589.; Scar Quality and Hand Function after Moist Exposed Burn Ointment and Skin Graft Treatment in Full Thickness Hand Burn.; Shin, Ji Cheol , Seo, Cheong Hoon , Jang, Ki Un , Jung, Ki Yang; ¹Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea.
²Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Korea. s9036@hanmail.net
³Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea.

Abstract: Objective
To compare the scar formation and hand function between moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO) treatment and conventional skin graft in full thickness hand burns. Method: Prospective comparative study was done between MEBO treatment group and conventional skin graft group. Full thickness burn wound scars on dorsal hand were compared. Scars were assessed with the Vancouver scar scale and other objective measurement tools such as pigmentation, erythema, pliability, transepideramal water loss, thickness and perfusion. Hand function was evaluated by the Jebsen hand function test and Michigan Hand Function Questionnaire. Results: Vancouver Scar scale showed significantly better scores in the MEBO group than in the conventional skin graft group. Scar thickness and transepidermal water loss were greater in the MEBO treatment group whereas pigmentation value was greater in the conventional skin graft group. There was no significant difference in the hand function between the two groups. Conclusion: MEBO application could be an alternative treatment to conventional skin graft treatment in full thickness hand burn wounds. In the future, more studies are yet to come how MEBO treatment may affect the skin condition of the burn injuries. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2007; 31: 582-589)

Keywords :Burn rehabilitation, Hand function, Scar evaluation, MEBO