Staged Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix and Meek Micrografting as a Donor-Sparing Strategy for Extensive Burn...

Area of Science:

• Burn surgery
• Regenerative medicine
• Wound healing

Background:

• Extensive burns (≥50% TBSA) challenge definitive closure due to limited donor-site availability.
• Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix (BTM) supports excised wounds during donor site recovery.
• Meek micrografting enables controlled expansion of limited autologous skin grafts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of a staged BTM application followed by Meek micrografting for extensive burn closure.
• To assess donor-sparing potential and operative efficiency of this combined approach.
• To analyze graft take, need for secondary procedures, and patient survival rates.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of adult patients with ≥50% TBSA burns treated with BTM and Meek micrografting (May 2022-May 2025).
• Data collection included demographics, injury details, operative parameters, and outcomes.
• Analysis of BTM application timing, micrografting coverage, graft take, and survival.

Main Results:

• Twelve patients with a mean burn size of 63.1% TBSA and Baux score of 104.6 were included.
• Mean TBSA covered by Meek micrografting was 32.5% (50.6% of burn surface).
• Operative efficiency improved; Meek graft take exceeded 90%; 11/12 patients survived.

Conclusions:

• Staged BTM followed by Meek micrografting is a feasible, donor-sparing strategy for extensive burn management.
• This approach allows prioritization of special areas, donor site regeneration, and efficient coverage.
• It demonstrates promising outcomes in terms of graft success and patient survival.