The use of human fetal skin for the treatment of deep, extensive burns in children

Abstract

The treatment of extensive and deep (third-degree of more than 30% of total body surface area [TBA]) burns is still a major medical problem. In addition to traditional methods, we used fetal skin transplantation (FST) for this purpose on 11 children with burns of from 42% to 75% of TBA (third-degree burns from 30% to 57% of TBA). Eight patients recovered. Fetal skin graft survival times were, on average, significantly longer than those of other allografts. FST was harmless to the patients, but in 1 case there was rejection 180 days after transplantation. Fetal skin of 19–24 weeks' gestation is probably the most appropriate for FST. Fetal allografts are particulary useful in stimulating healing and epithelialization of the wounds.