Promising therapy for congenital giant pigmented nevi using acellular autograft nevi-dermal matrix

As promising new therapy for congenital giant pigmented nevi, the authors i nvestigated the potential use of an acellular autograft nevi-dermal matrix in combination with a split-thickness skin graft, To address whether the pr ocessed acellular nevi-dermal matrix from frozen skin could be reconstitute d as a viable dermal base, the authors grafted it onto full-thickness skin defects in nude rats. Fibroblast infiltration and neovascularization into t he acellular nevi-dermal matrix were observed. However, because the disappe arance of the residual melanotic granules of the grafted dermis took 16 wee ks, the authors excised with scissors the superficial layer of the acellula r nevi-dermal matrix containing a large quantity of melanin. The appearance after using this method was relatively superior even compared with the ful l-thickness skin graft. The success of their experimental animal model usin g the acellular nevi-dermal matrix covered with split-thickness skin grafts confirms the potential value for the clinical application of this treatmen t for congenital giant nevi.