Clinical application of split skin graft from scar tissue for plastic reconstruction in post-extensive burn patients

Abstract

We evaluated the use of autologous split-thickness skin taken from scars on the backs of patients with extensive burns, without sufficient normal donor skin. Between 1998 and 2008, a total of 15 patients underwent 47 operations using split-thickness skin grafts from scar tissue. Split-thickness skin was harvested from scars on the patient's back. In each operation, two thirds of donor skin was used at the recipient site and the remaining part was used to cover the donor site. All skin grafts survived. The skin function and appearance at the reconstruction site was improved in all cases, and reconstruction had therapeutic effects similar to those achieved by graft procedures using normal autologous split skin. Moreover, 6 months later, the skin graft procedure could be repeated at the donor site. Therefore, we concluded that split-thickness skin from scars on patients’ backs is a valuable source of skin graft material that can be used repeatedly for plastic reconstruction in extensively burned patients.