title: Mechanical evaluation of the resistance and elastance of post-burn scars after topical treatment with tretinoin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  After burn injuries, scarred skin lacks elasticity, especially in hypertrophic scars. Topical treatment with tretinoin can improve the appearance and quality of the skin (i.e., texture, distensibility, color, and hydration). The objective of this prospective study was to examine the effects of treatment with 0.05% tretinoin for one year on the biomechanical behavior and histological changes undergone by facial skin with post-burn scarring.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary, Institutional.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen female patients who had suffered partial thickness burns with more than two years of evolution were selected. Skin biopsies were obtained initially and after one year of treatment. The resistance and elastance of these skin biopsies were measured using a mechanical oscillation analysis system. The density of collagen fibers, elastic fibers, and versican were determined using immunohistochemical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tretinoin treatment significantly lowered skin resistance and elastance, which is a result that indicates higher distensibility of the skin. However, tretinoin treatment did not significantly affect the density of collagen fibers, elastic fibers, or versican.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical tretinoin treatment alters the mechanical behavior of post-burn scarred skin by improving its distensibility and thus leads to improved quality of life for patients.
authors.affiliation: Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Fernanda
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Dematte
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gemperli
authors.forename: Alessandra Grassi
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Salles
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dolhnikoff
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lanças
authors.forename: Paulo Hilário Nascimento
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Saldiva
authors.forename: Marcus Castro
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications*; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004548:Elasticity / Q000187:drug effects*; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D014212:Tretinoin
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