Enhanced survival of autoepidermal-allodermal composite grafts in allosensitized animals by use of silver-nylon dressings and direct current.
OBJECTIVE
Observe the effect of silver-nylon (SN) dressing and direct electric current on healing of meshed autoepidermal/allodermal composite skin grafts (MCSGs) in allosensitized rats.


METHODS
MCSGs were placed on experimental animals 28 to 30 days after placement of sensitizing allografts. MCSGs and control allografts were covered with either Vaseline gauze (VG) or SN; direct current, 40 microA, was applied for 5 days to some of the SN-dressed wounds (SNDCs).


RESULTS
Second set rejection of MCSG was not observed. SN- and SNDC-treated grafts showed expansion of the meshed autoepidermis with complete epithelialization within 3 weeks. VG-covered wounds developed areas of open granulation and were not completely epithelialized at 3 months. Both SN and SNDC reduced wound contraction when compared to VG (SN versus VG p < 0.02, SNDC versus VG p < 0.008). MCSG was found to be of low alloantigenicity in that it did not induce second set rejection of subsequent skin allograft.


CONCLUSIONS
SN dressings enhanced survival of meshed composite skin grafts.
Chu
C S
CS
U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234-6315, USA.
McManus
A T
AT
Matylevich
N P
NP
Mason
A D
AD
Pruitt
B A
BA
D000818:Animals; D001458:Bandages; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D004560:Electricity; D004817:Epidermis / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000276:immunology*; D007114:Immunization; D009757:Nylons; D010577:Petrolatum; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D012834:Silver; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000276:immunology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000276:immunology
D009757:Nylons; D012834:Silver; D010577:Petrolatum