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A computerised machine for the facilitated production of intermingled skin grafts
R Hettich1, B Hafemann, D Kistler
1Clinic of Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Klinikum of the RWTH, Aachen, Germany.
Abstract:
The introduction of intermingled allograft/autograft skin grafting in western countries has long been hampered by high costs, due to the personnel requirements to produce this special form of graft. We have solved this problem by designing and constructing a computer-controlled machine, which in one operation punches holes out of strips of allogeneic donor skin and in another cuts fitting islets out of autogenous skin and transfers them into these holes. In comparison to manual preparation, this machine not only accelerates the production of intermingled skin grafts, but it also inserts the islets with superior accuracy, which is very important for the final functional and cosmetic result.