title: Reconstruction of Extensive Calvarial Exposure After Major Burn Injury in 2 Stages Using a Biodegradable Polyurethane Matrix.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To share our experience of an extensive calvarial reconstruction in a severely burn-injured, elderly patient in a 2-stage procedure utilizing a novel biodegradable temporizing matrix (NovoSorb BTM), followed by autograft.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 66-year-old patient with 75% full-thickness burns, including 7% total body surface area head and neck, with calvarial exposure of approximately 350 cm(2), complicated by acute renal failure and smoke inhalation injury. Exposed calvarium was burred down to diploe and biodegradable temporizing matrix was applied. Over the next 29 days, the biodegradable temporizing matrix integrated by vascular and tissue ingrowth from the diploe. Delamination and grafting occurred, however, at 43 days postimplantation of biodegradable temporizing matrix due to skin graft donor-site constraints.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Graft take was complete, yielding a robust and aesthetically pleasing early result (26 days post-graft application).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Biodegradable temporizing matrix offers an additional resource for reconstructive surgeons faced with fragile patients and complex wounds.
authors.affiliation: Adult Burn Service, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia.
authors.forename: John Edward
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Greenwood
authors.affiliation: Adult Burn Service, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia.
authors.forename: Marcus James Dermot
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wagstaff
authors.affiliation: Adult Burn Service, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rooke
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia.
authors.forename: Yugesh
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Caplash
keywords: biodegradable polyurethane; burns; dermal matrix; scalp reconstruction; synthetic