High bacterial count in human hypertrophic scars

Collection of HS and normal skin samplesThirty-three patients (2-61 years of age) with burn-related HS were enrolled in this study. All the patients provided informed consent. These patients exhibited proliferative scars located on their limbs or trunk that covered less than 10% of the total body surface and needed scar excision. The scar duration ranged from 6-24 months. Patients with keloids, scar infections, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease were excluded. Additionally, 36 normal abdominal skin samples were harvested after skin transplantation.