Acne Scars

Zhonghua Zheng Xing Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2009 Jan; 25(1): 41-5Xia W, Pan BH, Liu B, Zhang X, Ma FC, Wang YM, Yang XT, Liu D, Guo SZOBJECTIVE: To study the expression of Notch receptors, ligands and downstream target genes in hypertrophic scar and normal skin, and to investigate its role in the development of hypertrophic scar. METHODS: By immunohistochemistry, the expression of epidermal differentiation markers- beta1 integrin, keratin 14 (K14) and keratin 19 (K19), as well as Notch 1-4 and Jagged1 were examined in hypertrophic scars and normal skins. The expression of Notch downstream genes- P21 and P63 was analyzed with real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry staining. RESULTS: Histological analysis revealed a significant epidermal thickening in the hypertrophic scars, with excessive cell layers above the basal layer. Compared to the normal epidermis, the expression of beta1 integrin, K19 and K14 decreased in hypertrophic scars (P

Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg. 2009 Apr 28; 1-5Tokioka K, Obana K, Ishida K, Nakatsuka TAlthough various methods are available to treat scars, it is difficult to manage those with suture marks that look like fish-bones, mainly because a large amount of tissue between the suture marks must be discarded with the scar. We report the wavy line closure for revision of abdominal scars with suture marks in three children who were operated on for congenital abdominal diseases. The entire scar, including all the suture marks, was excised using an incision consisting of a pair of smoothly waved lines. This incision makes it possible to reduce the tension on the wound by preserving the normal skin between the suture marks, which is followed by fine scars. The resulting wave-shaped scar is less noticeable and more resistant to postoperative contracture than a straight scar.

Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg. 2009 Apr 28; 1-5Hikosaka M, Ogata H, Nakajima T, Kobayashi H, Hattori N, Onishi F, Tamada IFor the repair of syndactyly of the foot, skin grafting is often used to close the skin defect, but open treatment is not common. However, with grafting, an additional scar at the donor site and patchwork-like scar at the recipient site are inevitable. Our aim was to describe the process of epithelialisation and define the indications for open treatment of syndactyly of the foot. The open treatment was used on 16 webs. The texture of epithelialised surface resembled volar skin; the visible scar was mainly at the dorsal edge; and web creep occurred predominantly on the volar side and resembled the natural slope of the commissure. Open treatment is better than skin grafting because of better match of texture without a patchwork-like scar, and it is indicated in cases of simple incomplete syndactyly of the foot that extends proximal to the distal interphalangeal joint.