title: Histologic study of artificial skin used in the treatment of full-thickness thermal injury.
abstract: Integra artificial skin is an effective means of treatment for full-thickness burns. In extensive burn injury the use of such skin substitutes may become the treatment of choice. The artificial skin consists of a dermal substitute of bovine collagen and chondroitin-6-sulfate and an epidermal layer of synthetic polysiloxane polymer (Silastic). Serial biopsy specimens were obtained from 131 patients during a period of 7 days to 2 years after application. In this histologic study, six sequential phases of repair were discerned. In addition, there were occasional unusual histologic features, eosinophilic infiltration, and/or macrophage-derived giant cell formation in the wound area; however, such findings did not clinically correlate with a negative response to Integra artificial skin. Good repair was obtained, with rare exceptions. An intact dermis was achieved as well as definitive closure of a complete epidermal layer with a minimum of scarring.
authors.affiliation: University of California, San Francisco.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McPherson
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Longaker
mesh_terms: D001187:Artificial Organs; D001706:Biopsy; D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004804:Eosinophils; D015726:Giant Cells; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D012867:Skin; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology