[Experimental microbiological criteria for the banking of full-thickness skin]

Experimental studies were conducted into the biological durability of homologous full skin grafts. Colony counts for that purpose were determined in deep-frozen specimens in weekly intervals. Specimens were stored at various temperatures (+4 degrees C, -20 degrees C, -70 degrees C, -80 degrees C), with and without preceding quick freezing. Storage at -70 degrees C with protracted freezing gradient of 1 degree C/minute proved to the most favourable variant with due consideration of microbiological criteria. The physiological resident flora of skin grafts after thawing was almost unchanged under these conditions.