Abstract
The purpose of this report is to evaluate an artificial dermis (AD) composed of fibrillar and heat-denatured collagen composites which is dehydrothermally crosslinked in a short time. Three groups of rats were “grafted” the AD on the full thick-ness skin defect, and then secondarily, 0, 1 or 2 weeks after, overlayed auto thin split thickness skin (S.T.S.) on the AD. As a result, each S.T.S, survival rate was 50%, 60%, 90%, respectively, i.e. owing to the appropriate time lag, S.T.S, became survive easily. When the S.T.S, were taken, it showed good cosmetic results with little contracture. Histologically, S.T.S, attached itself on the AD formed pseudo-dermis spontaneously. These findings suggest that this new therapeutic modality by combining AD with S.T.S. graft, provides permanent re-construction for full thickness skin defect.
