Extensive traumatic soft tissue loss: reconstruction in severely injured patients using cultured hyaluronan-based three-dimensional dermal and epidermal autografts.

BACKGROUND: This report demonstrates the potential of two-stage autologous keratodermal grafting as a starting point for noninvasive reconstruction of extensive traumatic soft tissue defects.
METHODS: In three severely injured patients, skin biopsies for cell cultivation were taken. Cultured "neodermis" consisting of cultured autologous fibroblasts grown on biocompatible three-dimensional scaffolds made up of benzyl ester of hyaluronan was grafted on conditioned defect areas. After ingrowth of dermal substitutes, transplantation of cultured autologous keratinocytes on hyaluronan-based laser-perforated membranes was performed. Ten days later, a 0.2-mm thin, 1:6 meshed autograft was overlaid. Clinical follow-up, histologic, and immunohistochemical findings were documented.
RESULTS: Grafting with cultured autologous fibroblasts revealed a suitable dermal tissue replacement. Epithelialization was evident after transplantation of keratinocytes. Final closure of the defects with "normoelastic" tissue properties was achieved after thin mesh-grafting.
CONCLUSION: Preliminary findings with the described method seem to be very promising. As in all fields of tissue engineering, long-term studies and further follow-up are required.