The use of a bilaminate artificial skin substitute (Integra) in acute resurfacing of burns: an early experience.
Integra artificial skin provides immediate full-thickness reconstruction for cutaneous burns. The clinical outcome appears to be superior in terms of final function and cosmesis. Consequently the use of such a skin substitute is being heralded as the future treatment of choice, particularly for massive burns where autologous donor skin is limited. The three cases reported here describe the senior author's early experience with Integra and highlight some of the difficulties and successes encountered. A high rate of dermal graft loss and slow epidermal engraftment have tempered the original enthusiasm, but with growing experience the final outcome justifies the continued use of Integra in our unit.
Fitton
A R
AR
The Welsh Regional Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery, Morriston Hospital, Swansea SA6 6NL, UK.
Drew
P
P
Dickson
W A
WA
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D001132:Arm; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002056:Burns / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D003094:Collagen; D003286:Contracture / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D017768:Skin, Artificial; D013909:Thorax; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D017211:Treatment Failure
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; C114835:integra artificial skin; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D003094:Collagen