Although the treatment and healing of wounds are some of the oldest subjects discussed in the medical literature, and although there have been numerous advances in understanding the steps involved in wound healing, the exact mechanisms underlying wound healing remain…
History of Laser and Intense Pulse Light Albert Einstein was the first to describe the theoretical physics of the laser in 1917. He described the interaction of atoms and molecules with electromagnetic energy in terms of the spontaneous absorption and…
Introduction The quality of life in developed countries has improved over the past 50 years, increasing the average lifespan by nearly 30 years. Individuals aged 65 years and over account for 13% of the U.S. population. This “elderly” population is…
Introduction According to the National Burn Repository, burn injuries are responsible for 40,000 annual hospital admissions, of which one third are pediatric patients. Despite the steady decrease of burn injuries over the past three decades, children continue to represent a…
Introduction The massive burn is as much a metabolic insult as it is a tissue injury. Clearly resultant tissue defects represent the critical factor in long-term functional complications from massive burns. In the acute phase of burn care, a persistent,…
Introduction Skin is the first immune defense mechanism and functions as a barrier against microorganisms. Infections are a significant problem once open wounds compromise this barrier. According to the U.S. National Burn Repository, the four leading causes of burn morbidity…