Artificial skin for closure and healing of wounds created by skin cancer excisions

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.