Ability of microautotransplants to re-epithelialize deep and extensive skin injuries

Experiments with rats of different ages have established the potential of microautotransplants (MATR) of skin (0.5-3.0 mm2 in size) to produce neoepidermis on fresh and granulating wounds. The MATR induced a 40-fold increased rate of closing of the wound surface. Contraction of the re-epithelialized wounds followed the same trend found for an open wound. The rate of contraction of re-epithelialized wounds depends on the age of the rat and the degree of maturity of the granulation tissue. The most extensive contraction was observed in young animals. Neoskin does not contain skin appendages, shows increased exfoliation of horn flakes from the neoepidermis surface and contains epitheloid cysts filled by a horny substance. The use of the MATR technique in the clinic also leads to wound re-epithelialization. Human neoskin histologically is similar to that of animals. These results suggest that the MATR technique is an alternative approach in the treatment of extensive skin burns.