[Our experience with the use of epidermal cell cultures in reconstructive surgery]

The plastic surgery team of the Antoine-Lacassagne cancer center (Nice, France) presents the results of 18 grafts (13 patients) of epidermal cells grown in culture. Cell culture techniques and histologic features are analyzed. The possibilities of this method are discussed on the basis of study results and comparison with other publications on the repair of cutaneous wounds other than burns. The favorable rate of successful grafts (50%) and the indications for the technique are discussed. Used as a complementary procedure, epidermal cell grafts permit better quality scarring, comparable to that obtained with thin skin grafts. In addition, disfiguration of donor sites is eliminated.