Grafting of cultured allogeneic epidermis on second- and third-degree burn wounds on 26 patients

Twenty-six individuals with second- and third-degree burn wounds have been grafted with cultured allogeneic epidermal cells. These epidermal cell grafts were grown in culture from cadaver skin according to a technique which we have developed. After being grafted with cultured allogeneic epidermal cells, superficial wounds, e.g., donor sites, healed within 7 days, compared to 14 days for mirror image control sites. Deep second-degree burn wounds which were excised before grafting with cultured cells healed in a mean time of 10 days. Deep second-degree burn wounds which were not excised before grafting healed in a mean time of 14 days. The cultured cells produced rapid healing in 11 of the 12 patients with deep second-degree burn wounds. The deep second-degree wounds grafted with cultured allogeneic epidermal cells healed with results which were comparable to the deep second-degree wounds which were autografted. Grafts of cultured allogeneic epidermal cells placed on full-thickness, or third-degree burn, wounds did not grow well.