Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Severe Burn Injury in a Swine Model for Clinical Dressing Assessment
07:45

Severe Burn Injury in a Swine Model for Clinical Dressing Assessment

Published on: November 6, 2018

A toddler with burns, stomatitis, and skin graft loss

M Meuli1, U Lips, D Nadal

  • 1Pediatric Burn Center, Department of Surgery, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstr. 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland. mmeuli@kispi.unizh.ch

Burns : Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
|August 5, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Herpes infections can compromise skin grafts in burn patients, even with successful initial transplantation. Early intravenous antiviral therapy is crucial for burn patients diagnosed with herpes to prevent graft loss.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Burn Care
  • Infectious Disease in Dermatology
  • Grafting Complications

Background:

  • Deep scald burns in toddlers require surgical intervention, including skin grafting.
  • Successful skin graft take is critical for optimal wound healing and functional outcomes.

Observation:

  • A 21-month-old toddler with 13% TBSA deep scald burns underwent successful skin grafting.
  • Postoperatively, the patient developed aphthous stomatitis and herpes viremia, leading to viral graftitis.
  • Despite prompt intravenous acyclovir treatment, significant graft loss occurred.

Findings:

  • Herpes infection poses a significant threat to the viability of fresh skin transplants.
  • Viral infections can lead to severe graftitis, compromising graft take.
  • Intravenous acyclovir demonstrated partial effectiveness but could not prevent substantial graft loss.

Implications:

  • Burn patients undergoing or awaiting skin grafts should be monitored for herpes infections.
  • Prophylactic or early-onset intravenous antiviral therapy is recommended for burn patients diagnosed with herpes.
  • This case highlights the importance of managing viral complications to ensure successful skin graft outcomes in pediatric burn patients.

More Related Videos

A Murine Model of a Burn Wound Reconstructed with an Allogeneic Skin Graft12:18

A Murine Model of a Burn Wound Reconstructed with an Allogeneic Skin Graft

Published on: August 8, 2020

A Swine Burn Model for Investigating the Healing Process in Multiple Depth Burn Wounds02:49

A Swine Burn Model for Investigating the Healing Process in Multiple Depth Burn Wounds

Published on: February 23, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells01:19

Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells

Epidermal stem cells (EpiSCs) are mainly located at the basal layer of the epidermis. These cells repair minor injuries of the skin and replace dead skin cells. However, EpiSCs’ cannot heal severe wounds such as major burns or those from diabetes or hereditary disorders. In such cases, culturing the epidermal stem cells from the patient is possible and has yielded successful treatment options, such as laboratory-grown skin grafts. These grafts are synthesized using a patient’s own EpiSCs...
Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Burn Injuries01:22

Burn Injuries

Burn injuries occur when the skin and underlying tissues are damaged due to exposure to heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, or friction. They can vary in severity, from minor superficial burns to severe deep burns that can be life-threatening.
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
Healing II: Complications01:24

Healing II: Complications

Complications during healing arise when tissue repair is altered by local or systemic factors. These changes involve abnormal collagen deposition, altered biomechanics, and reduced vascular supply, impairing restoration of normal structure and function.Loss of FunctionScar tissue differs significantly from the original tissue it replaces. In the skin, fibrosis lacks adnexal structures such as hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands. Their absence reduces tactile sensitivity, impairs...