Amniotic membrane is immunologically privileged and is a reservoir of growth factors and cytokines known to modulate inflammation and enhance the healing process, while also possessing antimicrobial, antifibrosis, and antiscarring properties. These properties establish a strong argument for using amniotic membrane derived products as a treatment for burns. The purpose of this article is to describe the use of commercially available dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane allografts in patients with partial-thickness and full-thickness burns.

The role of regenerative cells in adult human fat is still unfolding. At present, limited clinical studies comparing patient satisfaction with cell-enriched fat transfer (CEFT) to conventional autologous fat transfer (AFT) for aesthetic indications have been performed. Herein, we present our data obtained from patient satisfaction questionnaires. Patients undergoing fat grafting received AFT or CEFT. Study participants were surveyed for overall satisfaction, symmetry, deformity, scarring, and pigmentation. Hospital charts were reviewed for complications, and patient survey responses between the groups were compared. Between January 2009 and September 2011, 36 patients had 6-months follow-up and were mailed surveys. Of these, 17 (12 CEFT and 5 AFT) returned completed Patient Satisfaction Rating surveys. At a median follow-up time of 10.7 months, the overall mean satisfaction rate was 5.2 of 6 (5.3 vs 5.0 for CEFT and AFT, respectively, P = 0.42). There were no significant differences about deformity (5.1 vs 4.7, P = 0.50), symmetry (4.5 vs 5.0, P = 0.48), or scarring (5.3 vs 4.5, P = 0.23). However, pigmentation was improved in the CEFT vs the AFT groups (P < 0.001). No patients in the AFT group noted skin pigmentation improvement, whereas 7 of 12 receiving CEFT noted improvement in skin pigmentation. Cell-enriched fat transfer to the face and body of aesthetic patients produces high satisfaction rates. Our preliminary data demonstrates similar satisfaction with regard to symmetry, scarring, and deformity in patients treated with CEFT versus AFT, without any complications. Unexpectedly, a clinical and statistical improvement in pigmentation was seen for patients treated with CEFT over AFT. Further studies need to be done to better understand this phenomenon.

The data are insufficient to support standardized treatment of all patients with frostbite with thrombolytic therapy. The following guidelines, however, should be applied to all patients with cyanosis persisting proximal to the distal phalanx (Grade 3 or 4 frostbite injury) and demonstrated loss of perfusion at or proximal to the middle phalanx immediately after rewarming.

To create and evaluate an educational video designed to increase breast cancer-related knowledge and screening behaviors among women who are deaf and use American Sign Language (ASL) as their preferred communication method. A test-retest survey was used to determine retained knowledge following an intervention with an ASL breast cancer education video. Deaf-friendly community settings in southern California. 122 women who were deaf with a preference for communicating via ASL. Participants completed a knowledge survey to determine their breast cancer screening practices and baseline breast cancer awareness. Participants then viewed a 30-minute video in ASL. Immediately after viewing the video, participants completed an identical knowledge survey. The survey was administered again two months after the initial intervention to determine long-term breast cancer knowledge retention. Age, breast cancer knowledge and screening practices, education, and health insurance. At baseline, breast cancer knowledge varied widely and respondents' answered an average of 3 out of 10 questions correctly. Postintervention, respondents answered an average of 8 out of 10 questions correctly, a significant increase from the baseline scores. At the two-month follow-up, respondents answered an average of 6 out of 10 questions correctly, still a significant increase from the baseline scores. Breast cancer knowledge of women who are deaf increased significantly by viewing an educational video in ASL and most of the new knowledge remained at the two-month follow-up. Nurses can help improve the Deaf community's (DC's) access to breast cancer-related information by disseminating awareness of this online program. With this online resource, nurses can more easily initiate discussions to help improve knowledge and screening behaviors in a linguistically and culturally appropriate manner. Improving the DC's access to breast cancer information is of paramount importance to reducing breast cancer morbidity and mortality in the DC.