Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Multiple skin transplantations are needed when repair soft tissue defects by skin grafting. Artificial dermis is rare used in clinic, and the experience is insufficient.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate curative effect of artificial dermis for repair soft tissue defects. 
METHODS: A total of 22 cases underwent artificial dermis with autologous thin skin transplantation were selected, including 6 cases with bone exposure, 2 with tendon exposure, 3 with resection of skin tumor, and 11 with others. Debridement and artificial dermis transplantation was performed firstly, followed by split thickness autoskin transplantation when the local granulation tissue grew well and the exposed tendon or bone tissue was covered by dermis-like tissues. The area of taking the skin, site of injury, operating performance, sealing, side effects were observed. The clinical and overall results were evaluated.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All cases had good coverage of wounds and graft survival. 18.50±4.27 days were needed to secondly skin grafting. One case performed a second surgery due to infection, 2 cases with automatic epithelization did not need secondly skin transplantation. Until to 3 months follow-up, epidermal growth and appearance of injury site are all good without scar in 21 cases. One case had scar and unhealthy appearance because of infection, but epidermal growth was also good. The area of taking the skin had no pigmentation and pigment prolapse, no serious scar in 20 cases, with 15.35±4.67 days to epithelialization. Repair of skin and soft tissue defects with artificial dermis has high quality of wound healing, minor injury to the area of taking site, and take longer time to secondly skin grafting. The overall clinical effect is good.