[Seeding of autologous epithelial cells into the allograft dermis as coverage for full-thickness burns].
Using a scalpel, crisscross grooves 1-2 mm apart were made on the dermis of an allogenic skin graft. Epithelial cells in a suspension, harvested from the patient, were seeded into the dermal grooves. The allograft thus prepared was used to cover wounds resulting from excision of full thickness burns. Four patients with burn areas ranged from 5% to 28% were treated with this technic. 10-13 days after the operation, when epidermis of the allografts were lifted, epithelial growth was seen on the dermal surface. It thickened rapidly, and cornification was seen. Except in one case, in whom newly grown epithelium was rubbed away owing to poor bandage and fixation, all the other wounds healed on 70-80 days after the operation. The healed surfaces of wounds were even and smooth. With this technic, the expansion of the donor area was estimated to be as much as 30-56 fold. Biopsy sections at regular intervals after the operation showed that the auto-skin epidermal cells grew out from the grooves to more superficial portions until they reached the surface of dermis, where they extended and finally covered the whole surface of the wound. 10-14 months after the operation the epidermis assumed more or less a wavy contour, and it seemed to be firmly united with the dermis. The cellular structure was clear, and their arrangement regular. With special staining, it was demonstrated that there were collagenous fibers, reticular fibers and elastic fibers in the dermis. However, there were no dermal appendages. One year later, the color of the new skin approximated that of the normal skin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Feng
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000601:surgery*; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*