ANALYSIS OF CELLULAR AND DECELLULAR ALLOGENEIC DERMAL GRAFTS FOR THE TREATMENT OF FULL-THICKNESS WOUNDS IN A PORCINE MODEL

Background and Methods: The need for a reliable skin substitute to imp rove burn treatment has been long apparent, We have investigated the u se of cryopreserved cellular and decellularized porcine allogeneic der mal grafts (CADGs or DADGs) in conjunction with an overlying thin spli t-thickness autograft (STSG) in a one-step technique, Control mirror-i mage wounds were treated with thin STSG alone, Autograft ''take'' rate s and wound contraction were determined; biopsies were taken at weeks 2, 5, and 8, and blinded scar assessment was performed at week 10. Res ults: The percent take of autografts overlying CADGs or DADGs was comp arable to that of control sites (83.0 +/- 8.3% vs, 81.1 +/- 11.5% for CADG vs, control; 93.2 +/- 7.6% vs, 90.2 +/- 11.1% for DADG vs, contro l), CADGs did not alter wound contraction or cosmetic outcome. By cont rast, DADG treatment inhibited wound contraction (42.9 +/- 17.8% vs, 3 0.9 +/- 10.4% contraction for control vs, DADG at week 10; p < 0.017) and significantly improved cosmetic outcome in 10 of 12 paired wounds (p < 0.012), Conclusion: CADGs and DADGs permitted simultaneous engraf tment of an overlying thin STSG. Although CADGs had no effect on wound contraction and cosmetic outcome, DADGs significantly reduced wound c ontraction and improved cosmetic outcome of full-thickness wounds in a porcine model, The use of DADGs may represent a potential improvement in burn care.