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Skin graft storage and keratinocyte viability
F S Fahmy1, H A Navsaria, J D Frame
1North East Thomes Regional Plastic and Burn Unit, St Andrew's Hospital, Billericay, UK.
British Journal of Plastic Surgery
|June 1, 1993
Summary
Ready Mix (RM+) tissue culture medium significantly enhances human split skin graft viability compared to traditional solutions. RM+ preserves keratinocyte viability for longer storage periods, crucial for successful transplantation.
Area of Science:
- Tissue engineering
- Wound healing research
- Biomaterials science
Background:
- Human split skin grafts are vital for wound reconstruction.
- Effective storage solutions are critical for graft survival and successful transplantation.
- Current storage methods have limitations in maintaining graft viability over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the viability of human split skin grafts stored in different solutions.
- To compare the efficacy of Ready Mix (RM+) tissue culture medium against conventional storage solutions.
- To identify optimal storage conditions for preserving keratinocyte viability in skin grafts.
Main Methods:
- Human split skin grafts were stored in four different solutions: RM+, Hartmann's, Marshall's, and saline.
- Keratinocyte viability was monitored over time using percentage measurements.
- Graft viability was assessed at specific postoperative time points (day 10 and day 30).
Main Results:
- Skin grafts stored in RM+ demonstrated significantly higher keratinocyte viability compared to other solutions.
- At day 10, RM+ maintained approximately 85% keratinocyte viability, versus ~10% for others.
- By day 30, RM+ retained ~60% viability, while other solutions showed viability near 1%.
Conclusions:
- RM+ tissue culture medium is superior for storing human split skin grafts.
- The components of RM+ (mitogens, nutrients, growth factors, physiological pH) support long-term graft viability.
- RM+ offers a promising advancement for improving skin graft storage and clinical outcomes.