DISPASE DETERGENT-TREATED DERMAL MATRIX AS A DERMAL SUBSTITUTE

A method for preparing acellular allogeneic dermal matrix (ADM) and if s effectiveness as a dermal substitute are described. Treatment of rat skin with Dispase followed by Triton X-100 completely removed cellula r components from the dermis. Subcutaneously implanted ADM evoked no i mmunological reaction and 20 weeks after implantation, the size of the implanted ADM was reduced to about 60 per cent of its original area. ADM became completely vascularized within 2 weeks after implantation i nto full thickness skin defects in the rat and inhibited extensive wou nd contracture. A second layer of ADM placed onto the implanted ADM se rved as an excellent dressing, providing mechanical protection and per mitting vascularization of the underlying implant. Onlay skin autograf ts placed onto vascularized allogeneic ADM showed good survival when t he skin was grafted more than I week after ADM implantation. Dispase/d etergent treated ADM derived front animal or human skin may be useful in fall thickness skin defects providing a vascularized bed for subseq uent epidermal coverage.