title: Sprayed cultured epithelial autografts for deep dermal burns of the face and neck.
abstract: The objective of this study was the assessment of clinical results after sprayed application of cultured epithelial autograft (CEA) suspensions onto deep dermal burn wounds of the face and neck. Nineteen patients with deep dermal burns of the face and neck were included into a prospective study. The average total body surface area burn was 15.1% (7%-46%; median: 13%). The average Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) was 6.7 points (4-12 points; median: 7 points). The application of sprayed CEA suspension was performed onto an average body surface area of 2% (0.5-5%; median: 2%). Thirteen patients were recruited for clinical follow-up after an average of 10 months (3-18 months). The average Vancouver Scar Scale score at follow-up was 2.4 +/- 2.2 points (range, 0-8 points), and the average Donnersmarck and Hörbrand score was 9.3 +/- 6.8 points (range, 0-22). Four patients had less than 9 months' follow-up. Excluding these patients from the analysis resulted in an average Vancouver Scar Scale score of 1.3 +/- 0.9 points (range, 0-3 points) and an average Donnersmarck and Hörbrand score of 8.0 +/- 7.4 points (range 0-22) for the remaining 9 patients.Our data show that enzymatic and careful surgical debridement and consecutive application of CEA suspensions using a spray technique results in excellent cosmetic outcomes compared with any other method.
authors.affiliation: Burn Center/Department for Plastic Surgery, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, Warener Strasse 7, 12683 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: Aline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ekkernkamp
authors.forename: Christa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Johnen
authors.forename: Jörg C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Gerlach
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Belfekroun
authors.forename: Markus V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Küntscher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002056:Burns / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000637:transplantation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000628:therapy*