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Initial experience with cultured epithelial autografts in massively burnt patients
Author(s) -
Elliott Michael,
Vandervord John
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1046/j.1445-2197.2002.02591.x
Subject(s) - medicine , limiting , debridement (dental) , surgery , medical record , severe burn , mechanical engineering , engineering
Background: Prognosis in patients with severe burns is improved by early debridement and coverage with skin. The limiting factor in these patients is the lack of unburnt skin for harvesting. Cultured epithelial autograft (CEA) sheets provide an alternative means of covering debrided skin. This is a report on an initial experience with using CEA sheets. Methods: The two patients in this study had their medical records examined retrospectively. Results: The effective take of the CEA sheets was zero in both patients. One of the patients died approximately 6 weeks after admission. Conclusions: Because of the poor graft take seen in the patients in the present study, the use of CEA sheets only as a form of temporary biological dressing is recommended.