title: Biologic skin substitutes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ideal skin substitute should closely approximate the skin in function. The substitute should be readily available, easily sterilized and stored, and relatively inexpensive.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe recent developments in the area of biologic skin substitutes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Considerable advances have been made in keratinocyte and fibroblast culturing when used in conjunction with a biodegradable material as a substrate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is no skin substitute that perfectly mimics autologous skin. However, recent developments show promise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts 02118.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000637:transplantation; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous