ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the injury on micro-skin induced by a self designed micro-skin machine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Micro-skin was produced either with the machine or by hand. Cells at the edge of micro-skin were observed by transmission electron microscope. succinic dehydrogenase activity in supernatant of cultivated cells was analyzed, and the cell proliferation of micro-skin was assessed by (3)H-TdR. Twenty patients were enrolled in the study for the observation of the wound healing time between the two groups of micro-skin after being grafted.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Transmission electron microscope examination revealed that the cellular injury at the edge of the micro-skin in machine-made group was mild compared with that in man-made group. (3)H-TdR rate was elevated but the activity of succinic dehydrogenase in the supernatant of cultured cells decreased in supernatant of cultured cells of machine produced micro-skin. Wound healing time was shortened in machine made group. (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The cellular injury at the edge of micro-skin in the machine made group was mild when compared with that in the man-made group with cell proliferation accelerated and wound healing time shortened.</p>