Semin Plast Surg 2022; 36(01): 033-042
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1743455
Review Article

The Role of Skin Substitutes in Acute Burn and Reconstructive Burn Surgery: An Updated Comprehensive Review

Alen Palackic
1   Department of Surgery, Division of Burn and Trauma Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
2   Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
,
Robert P. Duggan
1   Department of Surgery, Division of Burn and Trauma Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
,
Matthew S. Campbell
3   School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
,
Elliot Walters
1   Department of Surgery, Division of Burn and Trauma Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
,
Ludwik K. Branski
1   Department of Surgery, Division of Burn and Trauma Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
,
Amina El Ayadi
1   Department of Surgery, Division of Burn and Trauma Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
,
Steven E. Wolf
1   Department of Surgery, Division of Burn and Trauma Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
› Author Affiliations
Funding This study was funded by Remembering the 15 Burn Research and Education Endowment.

Abstract

Burns disrupt the protective skin barrier with consequent loss of cutaneous temperature regulation, infection prevention, evaporative losses, and other vital functions. Chronically, burns lead to scarring, contractures, pain, and impaired psychosocial well-being. Several skin substitutes are available and replace the skin and partially restore functional outcomes and improve cosmesis. We performed a literature review to update readers on biologic and synthetic skin substitutes to date applied in acute and reconstructive burn surgery. Improvement has been rapid in the development of skin substitutes in the last decade; however, no available skin substitute fulfills criteria as a perfect replacement for damaged skin.



Publication History

Article published online:
12 April 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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