BACKGROUND A dermal regeneration template indicated for life-threatening th
ird-degree burn injuries is a product with potential application to smaller
wounds to aid in healing and closure of complex excision sites.
OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of dermal regeneration template for c
losure of skin cancer excision sites that would have otherwise required com
plicated closures.
METHODS Five patients, 61-84 years old, with skin cancer surgery yielding a
total of six wounds were treated with the dermal regeneration template to
close and heal their wounds.
RESULTS Four of five patients had complete healing (five of six wounds) wit
h cosmetically acceptable results. The one treatment failure was applicatio
n of the dermal regeneration template over exposed skull where inadequate n
eodermis formed. Successful healing was observed in five complex skin cance
r excision sites including two wounds in previously irradiated grafted skin
, a large and deep temporal defect, a wide excision in the supraclavicular
region, and an excision down to cartilage on the antihelix of the ear. No i
nfections were noted, although in four of five patients prophylactic oral a
ntibiotics (either erythromycin or cephalexin) were prescribed postoperativ
ely for 1-2 weeks.
CONCLUSION The product simplified wound care, subjectively appeared to decr
ease pain and postoperative bleeding, and yielded cosmetically acceptable w
ound repair. Autografting was not necessary; wounds healed in 2-4 months by
epithelialization over neodermis after removal of the silicone layer. Furt
hermore, the product was a convenient long-term dressing and healing device
for wounds where complex repairs, autografts, and/or flaps would otherwise
be considered for closure.