Systemic factors influencing the growth of cultured epithelial autograft

This is a retrospective study of 23 consecutive patients who had biopsies taken for cultured epidermal autograft between February 1993 and September 1994. Keratinocyte cultures were initiated on all of these biopsies. Of these 23 biopsies, it was noted that the cells obtained from three patients grew particularly slowly or failed to grow at all. Taking into account that the biopsy and culture conditions were standard for all patients, we investigated whether the patient's previous medical history may have had any effect on the ability of the cells to be cultured in vitro. Our results indicated that the keratinocyte cultures of patients with a significant past medical history, and particularly those with underlying pathology affecting their general physical condition, have a decreased growth rate. This raises the question that general patient condition can possibly influence the clinical use of the technique.