[First results with Integra artificial skin in the management of severe tissue defects in children]

In extreme cases of tissue defects, wound coverage after excision may be problematic because of the limited existence of donor sites. An option for temporary wound coverage used in the management after early scar release is a dermal substitute: Integral artificial skin. The biosinthetic material consists of un upper silicone film and a lower layer of porous cross-linked bovine collagen and chondroitin-6-sulfate as a template for dermal regeneration after staged tangencial necrectomy. In the third and fourth weeks following application the silicone layer was easily removed and the newly formed neodermis covered with widely unmeshed thin split thickness autograft. We report 6 patients with tissue defects with open fractures in three cases, one hemorrhagic necrosis of the skin by meningococcemia who requiring amputations of all four extremities and two traumatic necrosis. Other patient has a retractil scar. All were treated with Integral and epidermical autograft. The good results with Integral regarding recovery may affect initial treatment and reconstruction planning after extensive wound injuries with tissue defects to obtain immediate wound closure.