Survival of cultured allogeneic keratinocytes transplanted to deep dermal bed assessed with probe specific for Y chromosome

Cultured allogenic keratinocyte grafts in the management of wound healing: prognostic factors

Cultured allografts derived from neonatal foreskin provide a potent stimulus to wound healing in a wide variety of wounds. Their application is a simple outpatient procedure involving no discomfort for the patient. In contrast to autografting, no biopsy is necessary, and growth of newborn keratinocytes in cultures is more rapid than that of adult cells. Use of cultured allogeneic cells offers immediate graft availability and the possibility of stockpiling and preserving the graft for future use. Cultured epidermal allografts may be valuable in accelerating healing by second intention in surgical wounds, as well as being a helpful addition to chronic ulcer management. In venous disease, the outcome is at least comparable to other forms of skin grafting. Ulcers due to connective tissue disorders fared less well and deep chronic ulcers (down to fascia or tendon) were not significantly improved by cultured allograft application. Surprisingly, patient age did not influence outcome.

Cultured composite skin grafts: biological skin equivalents permitting massive expansion

After assessment in mice, a biological skin equivalent consisting of cultured fibroblasts in a collagen gel overlain with cultured keratinocytes was applied to three patients who had had tattoos excised. In all patients the grafts took well with good cosmetic results and little or no contracture. A biopsy at 4 weeks showed that the central graft area had a fully differentiated epidermis and a mature dermis without adnexae.