Experience in the application of porcine xenografts to split-graft donor sites

We have described our experience in the treatment of 336 donor sites with porcine xenografts. We have found this technique simple and quick for achieving rapid healing of these donor areas in burn patients, trauma patients, granulating ulcer patients, patients with carcinoma, patients with crossed-leg flap procedures, and other reconstructive surgery cases, and in practically all of these excellent healing occurred within an average of 12 days. The exceptions have been described. It is the authors' feeling that this modality of donor site care is of the greatest significance and a great advance over previous techniques. It minimizes the previously required care of these donor areas and significantly has reduced the associated pain and distress which skin-graft patients have suffered in the past. In the few instances in which the lyophilized porcine xenograft was used, it was our impression that these grafts did not adhere to the donor site as well and did not have the hemostatic effect of the fresh-refrigerated or fresh-frozen porcine xenografts.