Clinical experience with Alloderm: a one-staged composite dermal/epidermal replacement utilizing processed cadaver dermis and thin autografts.

UNLABELLED: Alloderm has been advocated for the management of acute burns. However, few studies have demonstrated the feasibility of this technique.

METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of all patients treated in our burn center who received Alloderm since 1999.

RESULTS: Alloderm was used in 21 burn patients and 6 patients with traumatic skin loss. The average size of Alloderm used in the burn patients was 517+/-144 cm(2) (range 24-3000 cm(2)). The average Alloderm thickness used was 0.008 in. and autografts were harvested at an average of 0.007 in. Overall, Alloderm was used in a variety of locations including the face in 3 patients (2 burns, 1 traumatic skin loss) and hands in 7 patients (6 burns, 1 traumatic skin loss). Successful take was observed in 26/27 patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Alloderm can be used successfully in patients with acute burns requiring grafting.