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Use of an Artificial Dermis (Integra®) for the Reconstruction of Extensive Burn Scars in Children. About 22 Grafts

2005; Thieme Medical Publishers (Germany); Volume: 15; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1055/s-2004-821215

1439-359X

N. Groos, Michel Guillot, R Zilliox, F. Braye,

Reconstructive Facial Surgery Techniques

We used an artificial dermis (Integra®) for the reconstruction of extensive burn scars in children. Integra® was initially developed for the primary coverage of acute burns, but several authors report good experiences with Integra® for reconstructive surgery. We present a group of 10 children who underwent Integra® grafting at 22 different operational sites. Five children received several grafts with Integra®. On average, 260 cm2 per session were grafted. We compared the surface of Integra® on the day of grafting and then again on the evaluation day to measure the secondary retraction of the grafts. Complications (infection of Integra®, failure of the epidermal graft) were observed in 5 cases. At the final evaluation, 20 grafts were visible. The surface of the Integra® graft represented less than 50 % of the initial surface in 7 cases, 51 - 75 % in 5 cases and more than 76 % in 8 cases. The disadvantages of Integra® in reconstructive surgery are that two operative procedures are necessary and the recurrence of contraction seems to be more significant than with full thickness auto grafts. However, Integra® has many advantages: the immediate availability of large quantities, the simplicity and reliability of the technique, the pliability and the cosmetic aspect of the resulting coverage. In light of these preliminary results, Integra® appears to offer a new alternative for the reconstruction of extensive burn scars in children.