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Updated: May 28, 2026
A Murine Model of a Burn Wound Reconstructed with an Allogeneic Skin Graft
Published on: August 8, 2020
Co-graft of acellular dermal matrix and autogenous microskin in a child with extensive burns
1Department of Burns, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
Insights
A novel skin grafting technique using acellular dermal matrix and microskin autografts significantly improved healing and function in a child with extensive burns. This combined approach led to more stable, elastic skin and reduced contractures compared to standard grafting.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Burn Surgery
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Extensive burns in children pose significant challenges for wound healing and functional recovery.
- Deep partial-thickness burns require advanced reconstructive techniques to restore skin integrity and joint mobility.
- Current grafting methods can result in unstable skin, hypertrophic scarring, and contractures, impacting long-term outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of combining acellular dermal matrix (ADM) with microskin autografting for extensive burn reconstruction in a pediatric patient.
- To compare the functional and cosmetic outcomes of ADM co-grafting versus standard microskin autografting on knee joints.
- To assess the potential of this combined approach to improve skin quality, joint mobility, and reduce contracture formation.
Main Methods:
- A 6-year-old boy with 72% total body surface area (TBSA) deep partial-thickness burns underwent surgical debridement and reconstruction.
- The left knee joint was grafted with meshed J1 Jayya Acellular Dermis® (ADM) followed by microskin autografting.
- The right knee joint served as a control, receiving only microskin autografting.
Main Results:
- At 6-month follow-up, the ADM-grafted left knee showed well-healed, stable skin with mild contractures and a larger range of motion.
- The control right knee exhibited unstable skin, a chronic ulcer, significant contractures, and limited joint mobility.
- The co-grafted site demonstrated thicker, more elastic skin compared to the control.
Conclusions:
- Co-grafting of acellular dermal matrix and autogenous microskin is a promising strategy for reconstructing extensive pediatric burns, particularly at functional sites like knee joints.
- This technique enhances skin quality, improves joint function, and reduces the incidence and severity of contractures.
- The findings suggest improved functional and cosmetic results for children with extensive burns treated with this innovative approach.
Abstract:
A 6-yr-old boy was the victim of a burns accident in a public bathhouse. The burns involved the face, neck, upper and lower extremities, anterior and posterior trunk, and both buttocks, covering 72% of the total body surface area (TBSA). The lesions in the lower extremities and parts of the right upper extremity were deep partial-thickness, comprising 40% TBSA. On day 5 post-burn, the lesions in both lower extremities were excised to the extent of the fascia under general anaesthesia. Meshed J1 Jayya Acellular Dermis®, a kind of acellular allodermal (ADM) matrix, was then placed on the left knee joint. The right knee joint served as control. The wounds in both lower extremities were then overlaid with microskin autografting. At 19 days post-application, the lesions in both lower extremities had almost completely resurfaced. Follow-up at six months revealed well-healed and stable skin of acellular ADM and microskin autografts on the left knee. However, the skin of the right knee was unstable and there was a chronic residual ulcer. Both legs showed some significant hypertrophic scars. The left knee joint (acellular ADM grafted site) showed mild contractures, while the right knee joint developed a significant contracture. The "skin" of the co-graft covered site appeared thicker and more elastic. The movement range of the left knee joint was much larger than that of the right knee joint. These results suggest that co-graft of acellular dermal matrix and autogenous microskin may be an effective way to repair this functional site in children with extensive burns and to improve the functional and cosmetic results.
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