[Keratinocyte culture and transplantation in burns]

The culture and transplantation of keratinocytes are considered an important progress in the treatment of severe burns. The keratinocyte grafts take best (50 to 90%) on remaining dermal structures after deep dermal (II b) burns. Since 1988 we culture also donor keratinocytes. They are cryopreserved in the 'skin bank' in large quantities. As vital wound cover they allow for a rapid and near scarless reepithelialization. For deep (III) burns we use composite grafts of cultured auto-keratinocytes on allo-dermis with increasing success (up to 75% take rate) without rejection.