Tissue engineered, bilayered living skin substitute (Apligraf®) prevents contraction in acute excisional wounds

Abstract

Introduction: Recently, a number of tissue engineered living skin substitutes (LSSs) have become available for clinical use. Limited data exist regarding the efficacy of such products for treatment of acute wounds (e.g. burns, trauma-related dermal-avulsion). The extent to which LSSs might prevent adverse healing sequelae such as contractures remains to be established. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is an accepted tool used to promote skin graft take, and whether such therapy can be used in concert with LSSs has not been tested.