Skin Tissue Engineering in Severe Burns: A Review on Its Therapeutic Applications

Abstract

Current advances in basic stem cell research and tissue engineering augur well for the development of improved cultured skin tissue substitutes. Although the ability to grow autologous keratinocytes in vitro from a small skin biopsy into sheets of stratified epithelium (within 3–4 weeks) helped alleviate the problem of insufficient donor site for extensive burn, many burn units still have to grapple with insufficient skin allografts which are used as intermediate wound coverage after burn excision. Alternatives offered by tissue-engineered skin dermal replacements to meet emergency demand have been used fairly successfully. Despite the availability of these commercial products, they all suffer from the same problems of extremely high cost, subnormal skin microstructure, and inconsistent engraftment, especially in full-thickness burns. This review seeks to bring the reader through the beginnings of skin tissue engineering, the utilization of some of the key products developed for the treatment of severe burns, and the hope of harnessing stem cells to improve on current practice.