The use of dermal substitutes in burn surgery: Acute phase

• Published in: Wound repair and regeneration Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 14 - 22
• Main Authors: Shahrokhi, Shahriar, Arno, Anna, Jeschke, Marc G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-01-2014
• Subjects: Burns - pathology; Burns - therapy; Cell Culture Techniques - methods; Cell Culture Techniques - trends; Cicatrix - pathology; Female; Humans; Male; Mesenchymal Stem Cells - cytology; Mesenchymal Stem Cells - physiology; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - methods; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - trends; Skin - anatomy & histology; Skin - pathology; Skin Transplantation - methods; Skin Transplantation - trends; Skin, Artificial - statistics & numerical data; Skin, Artificial - trends; Tissue Engineering - methods; Tissue Engineering - trends; Wound Healing
• ISSN: 1067-1927; 1524-475X
• DOI: 10.1111/wrr.12119

Major burns represent a challenge in autologous skin coverage and may lead to severe functional and cosmetic sequelae. Dermal substitutes are increasingly becoming an essential part of burn care during the acute phase of treatment. In the long term dermal substitutes improve functional and cosmetic results and thus enhance quality of life. In the chronic wound setting, dermal substitutes are used to reconstruct and improve burn scars and defects. Despite the potential of dermal substitutes, further research is required to strengthen scientific evidence regarding their effects and also to develop new technologies and products. Furthermore, dermal substitutes have a pivotal role in future research strategies as they have the potential to provide adequate scaffold for stem cells, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine with conceivable application of obtaining long‐lasting and scarless artificial skin. This review discusses the status quo of dermal substitutes and novel strategies in the use of dermal substitutes with a focus on burn care.