title: A novel hand-shaped suprathel simplifies the treatment of partial-thickness burns.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The standard therapy to treat superficial partial-thickness burns of the hand involves the application of skin substitutes such as Suprathel (PolyMedics Innovations GmbH, Denkendorf, Germany), which reduce pain significantly, thus allowing a fast mobilization and leading to a quicker restoration of function. The aim of this study was to simplify the application of Suprathel by using new precut hand-shaped bandages.
  
  
  METHODS
  Suprathel sheets have been produced in precut hand shapes that can be applied on the palm or on the dorsum of the hand. During a 6-month study period, 24 patients were treated with Suprathel after a burn injury of the hand. Half the patients received standard Suprathel sheets, and half received the novel hand-shaped Suprathel. Application time and material waste were documented closely.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By using the Hand-Suprathel, application time was significantly reduced up to 80% compared with the standard rectangular Suprathel sheets. When the standard Suprathel sheet was reduced to the size and shape of the hand, approximately 40% of the material was discharged. In contrast, almost no material waste occurred by using Hand-Suprathel.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of the new Hand-Suprathel increases efficiency because of its convenient and faster application, as well as by reducing material waste.
authors.affiliation: Jennifer L. Schiefer, MD, is a Resident, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Hand and Burn Surgery, BG-Trauma Center, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany. Afshin Rahmanian-Schwarz, MD, is the Director, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Hand and Aesthetic Surgery, HELIOS Clinic Wuppertal, Germany. Hans-Eberhard Schaller, MD, is the Director, and Theodora Manoli, MD, is a Consultant, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Hand and Burn Surgery, BG-Trauma Center, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Schiefer
authors.forename: Afshin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rahmanian-Schwarz
authors.forename: Hans-Eberhard
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Schaller
authors.forename: Theodora
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Manoli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001458:Bandages; D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011091:Polyesters / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017768:Skin, Artificial; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C527789:poly(lactide-co-trimethylenecarbonate-co-epsilon-caprolactone)