Histological Comparison of Sheet Dermal Regeneration Template vs Meshed Dermal Regeneration Template with Sub-atmospheric Pressure in Reconstruction: Preliminary Results

Integra © (Dermal Regeneration Template) has proven to be a valuable tool for reconstructive surgical procedures involving full thickness skin defects. It consists of a collagen/glycosaminoglycan matrix covered by a silastic ‘epidermal’ layer. Once the matrix has become vascularized and colonized with fibroblasts and other host cells in order to form the neodermis, the silicone layer is then replaced with a ultra-thin split-thickness-skin-graft (UTSTSG, 6/1000th inch) as a permanent epidermal coverage. The time prior to placing the UTSTSG is usually 3 weeks. The use of subatmospheric pressure over meshed Integra has been reported in order to increase engraftment rates (from 87 to 96%) and decrease the time to UTSTSG from 3 weeks to 1 week. The use of subatmospheric pressure changes the environment in which the neo-dermis is created, and whether or not this ultimately affects the long-term character of the skin is unclear. This study was designed to...