ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:Skin grafting is crucial for patients with deep burns, but limited source of autologous skin grafts is an existing difficulty. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of xenogeneic (porcine) acelular dermal matrix in the treatment of deep burn wounds and the feasibility of its application. METHODS:Forty-one patients with deep burn were divided into two groups according to the intention of the patients, 21 cases in control group and 20 cases in observational group, folowed by autologous split-thickness skin grafting alone or combined with different (porcine) acelular dermal matrix, respectively. After 12 months of folow-up, the graft success rate at postoperative 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks and skin graft contraction rate and wound repair at postoperative 3, 6, 9, 12 months were observed and compared between two groups. Moreover, levels of inflammatory factors were detected and compared between two groups at postoperative 1, 2, 3 months. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The skin graft success rates showed no difference between two groups at postoperative 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks (P > 0.05). The skin graft contraction rates also showed no difference between two groups at postoperative 3, 6, 9, 12 months (P > 0.05). After 12 months of folow-up, no serious scar hyperplasia, but soft texture appeared in the control group. In the observational group, three cases presented with local pigmentation at the early stage, but it gradualy subsided with time; no obvious scar, but only smal, point-like scar, was visible, and the repaired wound exhibited soft touch. No adverse events and death occurred in both two groups. Experimental results show that the treatment of deep burns with autologous split-thickness skin grafting combined with xenogeneic (porcine) acelular dermal matrix is safe and effective, which can improve the quality of wound healing.