Utilization of Perifascial Loose Areolar Tissue Grafting as an Autologous Dermal Substitute in Extremity Burns

Perifascial areolar tissue (PAT) is an areolar layer over the muscle fascia. PAT has been shown to be resistant to ischemia and prone to survival even in ischemic conditions. PAT grafts provide a vascular tissue layer on necrotic bone and tendons where skin grafting is not possible. The effect of PAT grafting on burn reconstruction has not yet been reported. Thus, in this study, we aimed to present our experience and discuss the role of PAT grafting in extremity burn reconstruction.

Between January 2019 and December 2020, 16 PAT grafting procedures were performed in 11 patients. All patients had second- or third-degree burns in the upper and lower extremities, with exposed bone or tendon. PAT grafts were harvested from the abdominal region and were used for the upper extremity in 7 patients and the lower extremity in 4 patients. Immediate skin grafting was performed during the same session.

The patients' mean age was 50.7 years; defect size, 3.3 × 3 cm²; and follow-up time, 11.8 months. The survival rates of the PAT and skin grafts were 93.8% and 68.6%, respectively. Partial skin graft losses were encountered in 4 patients, and total skin graft loss was seen in 1 patient.

PAT grafting is an alternative method to the use of dermal substitutes and flap surgery in small-to-medium-sized defects with exposed bone and tendon in burn patients.