Preparation of laser micropore porcine acellular dermal matrix for skin graft: an experimental study.
In our previous study, we used composite grafts consisting of meshed porcine acellular dermal matrix (PADM) and thin split-thickness autologous epidermis to cover full thickness burn wounds in clinical practice. However, a certain degree of contraction might occur because the distribution of dermal matrix was not uniform in burn wound. In this study, we prepare a composite skin graft consisting of PADM with the aid of laser to improve the quality of healing of burn wound.


METHODS
PADM was prepared by the trypsin/Triton X-100 method. Micropores were produced on the PADM with a laser punch. The distance between micropores varied from 0.8, 1.0, 1.2 to 1.5mm. Full thickness defect wounds were created on the back of 144 SD rats. The rats were randomly divided into six groups: micropore groups I-IV in which the wound were grafted with PADM with micropores, in four different distances, respectively and split-thickness autograft; mesh group rats received meshed PADM graft and split-thickness autograft; control group received simple split-thickness autografting. The status of wound healing was histologically observed at regular time points after surgery. The wound healing rate and contraction rate were calculated.


RESULTS
The wound healing rate in micropore groups I and II was not statistically different from that in control group, but was significantly higher than that in mesh group 6 weeks after grafting. The wound healing rate in micropore groups III and IV was lower than that in mesh and control groups 4 and 6 weeks after grafting. The wound contraction rate in micropore groups I and II was remarkably lower than that in control group 4 and 6 weeks after surgery and it was significantly much lower than that in mesh group 6 weeks after surgery. Histological examination revealed good epithelization, regularly arranged collagenous fibers and integral structure of basement membrane.


CONCLUSIONS
Laser micropore PADM (0.8 or 1.0mm in distance) grafting in combination with split-thickness autografting can improve wound healing. The PADM with laser micropores in 1.0mm distance is the better choice.
Chai
Jia-Ke
JK
Burns Institute, First Hospital Affiliated to General Hospital of PLA (Formerly 304th Hospital), Beijing 100037, China. cjk304@126.com
Liang
Li-Ming
LM
Yang
Hong-Ming
HM
Feng
Rui
R
Yin
Hui-Nan
HN
Li
Feng-Yu
FY
Sheng
Zhi-Yong
ZY
D000818:Animals; D002056:Burns / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013552:Swine; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*