The viability of human split skin grafts stored in four solutions has
been assessed by monitoring the percentage of viable keratinocytes in
the stored grafts. Skin grafts stored in RM+ (Ready Mix) tissue cultur
e medium remained more viable than those stored in Hartmann's, Marshal
l's or saline solutions. By day 10 (postoperative), the percentage of
viable keratinocytes of those grafts stored in RM+ was around 85%, com
pared to a value of around 10% for the other media. By day 30, RM+ ach
ieved a value of around 60 % keratinocyte viability compared to a valu
e approaching 1% in the other storage media under investigation. RM+ p
rovides mitogens, nutrients, growth factors and physiological pH, all
of which are important factors for successful skin graft storage.