Durotaxis and VEMFtherapy for Non-invasive Recovery of Mobility and Facial Expression in a Major Burn

ABSTRACT

This study is about the treatment of facial burn scars both from an aesthetic and functional point of view such as fibrosis and retractions that limit facial mobility, full facial expressions, breathing and mouth opening therefore, making chewing difficult. Moreover, the scar determines important facial asymmetries. Our objective is to help the patient find a better quality of life. We treated a major burn patient with obvious motor deficits and relevant facial asymmetries by adopting VEMFtherapy and following the durotaxis method to reduce the impact of fibrosis and retractions of facial biological tissues.
The aim was to recover better mobility of facial muscles, greater opening of the mouth and consequently, obtaining recovery of the ability of chewing and a restored skin sensitivity. The results obtained on this patient were relevant. The patient drastically reduced fibrosis, recovered facial expressions and an initial level of facial wrinkling. At the same time, the patient recovered full skin sensitivity, reduced the relief of hypertrophic scars and mitigated the colour difference between scars and normal skin. The patient declares herself fully satisfied with the results. Based on the present experience and other studies relating to VEMFtherapy applied on major burns or complex scars, we believe that VEMFtherapy used according to the durotaxis method can be an effective and safe therapy for all those patients who complain of motor deficits and chronic pain resulting from widespread burns, allowing a significant improvement of the quality of life of the patient.

Keywords: VEMFtherapy, Biodermogenesi, Durotaxis, scar, facial burn, major burn, orofacial disorders