[The effects of bFGF on the contraction of composite skin grafts]

The authors previously reported that a composite skin graft (CSG) consisting of allodermis graft overlaid with an isogenic epidermis accomplished permanent coverage of a full-thickness skin defect in one operation setting in a rat model. However, the CSG contracted more than the isogenic epidermis alone, presumably due to patchy necrosis of the CSG caused by inadequate blood supply to the isografts. The present study was designed to determine the effects of bFGF on CSG take and its contraction. Rats were divided into two groups. In the tested group the allodermis of CSG was treated with bFGF prior to grafting, while in the control group no treatment was administered. The results showed that the incidence of ischemic necrosis of the isograft was lowered and the area of necrotic patches was lessened in the bFGF group than the control (P < 0.05), and that the contraction of the CSG in the treated group was much less severe than the control as well (P < 0.001). It was found that the extent of necrosis of the CSG was negatively correlated with the resultant area of contraction (r = -0.450, P < 0.05). The study suggests that the ideal results may be obtained when the CSG contracts less than the simple isogenic epidermis graft, provided an optimum treatment modality of CSG by bFGF should be found.