Evidence-Based Review of Clinical Applications and Outcomes of Automated Epidermal Grafting

Abstract

Commercialization of an automated epidermal harvesting device (CelluTome™, Kinetic Concepts Inc., San Antonio, TX) in the last 6 years has led to numerous publications describing a growing number of clinical applications. The current article reviews this literature while summarizing outcomes. A total of 20 published reports including 284 automated graft recipients have been published. Complete reepithelialization occurs in 50–92% of recipient sites, often within 4–18 weeks of graft placement. Donor sites heal without scarring within 1–2 weeks. Current evidence suggests efficacy in using an automated epidermal harvesting device for the wounds of patients with multiple comorbidities and failing previous treatments for their wounds, including vascular ulcers, diabetic ulcers, surgical wounds, complex wounds, acute traumatic wounds, pyoderma gangrenosum, and burns. Limited evidence also suggests efficacy of automated epidermal grafting for disorders of pigmentation. Better trials studying individual clinical applications of epidermal grafting are needed.