[Pressure-related analysis of compression therapy after burn injuries in childhood].
BACKGROUND
Burns and scalds are among the most common traumas in childhood and more than often lead to hypertrophic scarring. Compression therapy is one of the main concepts in the prophylaxis and therapy for hypertrophic scars. However, the mode of action and the optimum value for pressure are still unknown. In this study, we evaluated the possibility of measuring the pressure under compression garments with a simple pressure measuring device.


METHODS
Pressure generation occurred by an air-filled balloon connected to a piezoresistive pressure sensor, which showed the pressure as a value of voltage. Calibration was possible with p<or=0.001 from 5 to 50 mmHg.


RESULTS
With an overall average pressure of 26.0+/-8.5 mmHg, no body region showed significantly different pressures. Only the pressure values on the cheek were significantly lower with 12.3+/-1.3 mmHg, (p<or=0.01). Soft or hard tissue under the sensing balloon only showed a difference on p<or=0.05.


CONCLUSIONS
We have developed a cheap (<100 Euro) and simple technique to measure the pressure during compression therapy. Further studies with a larger number of patients will follow.
Meyer
T
T
Abteilung für Kinderchirurgie, Chirurgische Universitätsklinik und Poliklinik I, Zentrum Operative Medizin, Bayerische Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Würzburg. Meyer_T@chirurgie.uni-wuerzburg.de
Keserü
M
M
Krenzer-Scheidemantel
G
G
Höcht
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000399:Air Pressure; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D048228:Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices; D008297:Male