[Integra Artificial dermis in pediatric reconstructive surgery].
The recent release of artificial dermis for general use, has open wide a new field in pediatric reconstructive surgery. The aim of this paper is to analyze the results of Integra artificial dermis in our Plastic Surgery Department.


METHODS
The records of the patients treated with Integra between february 1999 and january 2001 were analyzed, focusing on the indications, the complications and the final results.


RESULTS
Fourteen Integra implantation procedures in 11 patients aged 16 months to 12 years (mean +/- SD: 80.9 +/- 48.5 months) were performed. Indications were: acute burns in 5 cases, burns sequelae in 5, and partial extirpation of a congenital giant nevus in the last one. Integra was used to replace between 2 and 30% of total body surface area. The percentage of "take" of skin grafts was 85%. The most frequent early complication was the development of infection under the Integra; it occurred in 2 cases and artificial dermis had to be partially removed. Hypertrophic scars developed in 2 patients; both had refused pressure garments. Cosmetic results in the remaining 9 patients are considered excellent.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of artificial dermis has settled as a new procedure in plastic pediatric surgery. In spite of possible complications, the easy manipulation and the good results make Integra a perfect skin substitute in several cutaneous disorders.
Martínez
L
L
Departamento de Cirugía Pediátrica, Hospital Infantil La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana, 261, 28046 Madrid.
Ros
Z
Z
López-Gutiérrez
J C
JC
Díaz
M
M
Quezada
B
B
Perdiguero
M
M
Hernández
F
F
Rivas
S
S
Tovar
J A
JA
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002056:Burns / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D003094:Collagen; D020405:Dermis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; C114835:integra artificial skin; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D003094:Collagen