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DOI: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijpen.2454.9126.9123.1

Abstract

Collagen is the main structural protein of most hard and soft tissues in animals and the human body, which plays an important role in maintaining the biological and structural integrity of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and provides physical support to tissues. Collagen can be extracted and purified from a variety of sources and offers low immunogenicity, a porous structure, good permeability, biocompatibility and biodegradability. Collagen scaffolds have been widely used in tissue engineering due to these excellent properties. However, the poor mechanical property of collagen scaffolds limits their applications to some extent. To overcome this short coming, collagen scaffolds can be cross-linked by chemical or physical methods or modified with natural/synthetic polymers or inorganic materials. Biochemical factors can also be introduced to the scaffold to further improve its biological activity. Here we present the use of scaffold in the management of paediatric thermal injury.

Keywords : Paediatric Scald Burns; Scaffold.

Corresponding Author : Ravi Kumar Chittoria, Professor & Head, Department of Plastic Surgery & Telemedicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry 605006, India.