Cultured epidermis: Indiana University Medical Center's experience

We have treated 11 patients with cultured epidermal autograft (CEA) at the Indiana University Medical Center between April 1989 and January 1991. Seven of these patients had acute burns. We have followed up on five of them for at least 5 months; the remaining two are still hospitalized. Two patients had CEA applied to cover giant hairy nevi, and two were treated for hypertrophic burn scars, one of which was treated too recently to report follow-up. Consequently, we report on our experience with eight patients. At our institution we have broadened the indications for grafting with CEA to include injuries greater than 45% to 50% full-thickness and have found it a useful technique. One patient with a hairy nevus had a "take" of CEA of almost 100%, but a synechia formed along his gluteal crease. In another patient, partial loss of the graft was attributed to scratching. Long-term rubbing of a pressure stocking and splint was believed to be responsible for breakdown in the graft of the patient who had a hypertrophic scar.