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Published on: December 5, 2025
Use of integra artificial dermis to reduce donor site morbidity after pedicle flaps in hand surgery
Roberto Adani1, Leonardo Rossati1, Luigi Tarallo1
1Department of Hand Surgery and Microsurgery, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
Purpose:
To assess the results obtained with Integra artificial dermis to cover donor site following the harvesting of pedicle flaps for hand reconstruction.
Methods:
Between April 2010 and August 2013, 11 patients (8 men and 3 women; mean age, 37 y) were treated with Integra Dermal Regeneration Template (Integra LifeSciences, Inc., Plainsboro, NY) to cover donor defects after raising pedicle flaps for hand and finger reconstruction: radial forearm flap (4 cases), ulnar artery perforator flap (2 cases), and heterodigital island flap (5 cases). After neodermis formation the silicone layer of the artificial dermis was removed (on average after 22 days) and a split- or full-thickness epidermal autograft placed.
Results:
No infections, hematoma, or bleeding were recorded during the entire phase in which the artificial skin was applied. Two patients experienced a partial skin graft loss. Median follow-up was 20 months, and results included an average Vancouver Scar Scale rating of 2.7 and an average DASH score of 39. There were no cases of graft adherence to the underlying tendons or muscles.
Conclusions:
Favorable cosmetic and functional outcomes were obtained using a dermal regeneration template for the treatment of donor site defects. Despite the drawback of an additional surgical procedure (secondary skin graft), the use of this artificial skin produced soft-tissue augmentation and graft-skin quality, reducing donor site morbidity.
Type Of Study/Level Of Evidence:
Therapeutic IV.
