Dermal substitution in acute burns and reconstructive surgery: a 12-year follow-up

Application of dermal substitutes has been reported to improve the outcome of burns. However, the long-term effectiveness of dermal substitutes has not been investigated objectively. The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term effectiveness of a collagen-elastin dermal substitute in acute and reconstructive burn surgery.

From 1996 to 1998, an intraindividual comparison was carried out between a dermal substitute with a split-skin graft and a split-skin graft alone in patients with acute and reconstructive wounds. In this follow-up, scar elasticity, vascularization, pigmentation, and surface roughness were determined objectively. In addition, a subjective scar assessment was performed.

In 46 patients, 69 pairs of substituted and conventionally treated sites were measured, consisting of acute and reconstructive burn scars. In reconstructive scars, one surface roughness parameter was significantly better in substituted scars. Subjective assessment in acute and reconstructive burn scars showed several statistically significant differences in favor of substituted scars, such as pliability, relief, and the general observer score. Elasticity measurements showed higher scores for substituted scars, although the difference was not statistically significant. For the subcategory of scars treated with a largely expanded meshed skin graft, a significantly higher elasticity was found for the substituted area.

In this first long-term and objective follow-up of dermal substitution, the authors found improved scar parameters in both acute and reconstructive wounds treated with the substitute, indicating a long-lasting effect on scar quality.