Follow-up study of children undergoing autologous skin transplantation for burns
Angyalka Válik M.D.**, Katalin Harangozó*, Aba Lőrincz M.D.*, Zsolt Juhász M.D.*, Gergő Józsa M.D.*
*Department of Paediatrics, Surgical Unit, University of Pécs
**Department of Paediatrics, University of Pécs
Introduction: Deep partial and full-thickness burns require surgical treatment, with autologous skin grafting after necrectomy, which is the most optimal way to achieve permanent coverage. Cosmetic outcome can be assessed during long-term follow-up.
The aim of this study was to examine the grafted and donor areas of children undergoing autologous skin grafting using different scar assessment scales to determine the severity of the scar and the cosmetic outcome.
Patient and methods: At the Surgical Unit of the Department of Paediatrics of the University of Pécs, between the 1st of January 2015 and the 31st of December 2019, 20 children were included in the study out of 44 children who underwent autologous skin transplantation. The authors assessed the results obtained using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) and the Vancouver Scar Assessment Scale. Cosmetic scores were scored by the patients's parents and the examiner on the POSAS scale, the Vancouver scarring scale was scored by the examiner.
Results: The POSAS patient scale for the transplanted area, parents recorded a score of 5 or below in fourteen cases. In six children, the score exceeded 7, which is a significant deviation from normal skin characteristics. For the POSAS observer scale, the examiners scored the transplanted area of eight children as 1, five as 2, three patients as 3 and four more children as higher. For the Vancouver scar scale, the transplanted area was scored 0 in one case, 1 in four children and 2 in seven children. Based on these results, the score were good or acceptable in 12 children) The POSAS patient scale, the donor area was described by the parents as 1 in eight children and 2 in five children. For the POSAS observer scale, the examiners rated the donor area of fifteen children as 1. On the Vancouver scar scale the examiners scored the donor area as 0 in the case of 12 children, which means it was almost identical to healthy skin, they scored as 1 in three children, 2 in four children and 6 in one child.
Discussion: There is a significant difference in the way parents and examiners view the scar. In the evaluation of the observer scale, the most critical variables for the area of skin grafted were relief and thickness. For the patient scale besides colour, relief was the worst clinical characteristic as well. Better results were obtained when evaluating the donor area.

**Follow-up study of children undergoing autologous skin transplantation for burns**
Angyalka Válik M.D.**, Katalin Harangozó*, Aba Lőrincz M.D.*, Zsolt Juhász M.D.*, Gergő Józsa M.D.*
*Department of Paediatrics, Surgical Unit, University of Pécs
**Department of Paediatrics, University of Pécs
**Introduction**: Deep partial and full-thickness burns require surgical treatment, with autologous skin grafting after necrectomy, which is the most optimal way to achieve permanent coverage. Cosmetic outcome can be assessed during long-term follow-up.
The aim of this study was to examine the grafted and donor areas of children undergoing autologous skin grafting using different scar assessment scales to determine the severity of the scar and the cosmetic outcome.
**Patient and methods**: At the Surgical Unit of the Department of Paediatrics of the University of Pécs, between the 1st of January 2015 and the 31st of December 2019, 20 children were included in the study out of 44 children who underwent autologous skin transplantation. The authors assessed the results obtained using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) and the Vancouver Scar Assessment Scale. Cosmetic scores were scored by the patients's parents and the examiner on the POSAS scale, the Vancouver scarring scale was scored by the examiner.
**Results**: The POSAS patient scale for the transplanted area, parents recorded a score of 5 or below in fourteen cases. In six children, the score exceeded 7, which is a significant deviation from normal skin characteristics. For the POSAS observer scale, the examiners scored the transplanted area of eight children as 1, five as 2, three patients as 3 and four more children as higher. For the Vancouver scar scale, the transplanted area was scored 0 in one case, 1 in four children and 2 in seven children. Based on these results, the score were good or acceptable in 12 children) The POSAS patient scale, the donor area was described by the parents as 1 in eight children and 2 in five children. For the POSAS observer scale, the examiners rated the donor area of fifteen children as 1. On the Vancouver scar scale the examiners scored the donor area as 0 in the case of 12 children, which means it was almost identical to healthy skin, they scored as 1 in three children, 2 in four children and 6 in one child.
**Discussion**: There is a significant difference in the way parents and examiners view the scar. In the evaluation of the observer scale, the most critical variables for the area of skin grafted were relief and thickness. For the patient scale besides colour, relief was the worst clinical characteristic as well. Better results were obtained when evaluating the donor area.

P.084 Follow-up study of children undergoing autologous skin transplantation for burns

Dear friends and colleagues,

We will be pleased to welcome you in Turin (Italy) for the 19th European Burns Association´s Congress in 2022. Italy is honored to hold the meeting of the European Burns Association for the second time, after Verona in 1995. Turin is easily reachable from everywhere in Europe, either travelling by car, train or choosing flight connections. During the meeting, held in the renewed industrial center of the main Italian historical automotive factory (i.e. Lingotto-FIAT), we will meet international burn specialists, focusing on standards of care, progresses in burn treatment, strategies to face disaster situations, with a special attention to education of younger colleagues. However, in your spare time, you might enjoy the sweet days of Italian late summer, simply wandering in the green parks and gardens along the two rivers which cross the city, or you might decide to discover the numerous art galleries, churches, palaces, libraries, walking across elegant squares and large boulevards, passing through centuries of art and history; finally, you may choose to immerse yourself in some of the most exciting museum experiences, such as the Cinema Museum and the Turin’s Egyptian museum.

Looking forward to seeing you all in Turin for the 19th European Association´s Congress in 2022!
Maurizio Stella, Congress President, Turin Burn Centre