A biodegradable bovine collagen membrane as a dermal template for human in vivo wound healing.

A bovine collagen membrane was used as a template for dermal regeneration in human full thickness wounds. Healing was allowed for 7, 21, or 42 days. The formation of neodermis, basement membrane, and terminal differentiation were assessed histologically and immunohistochemically. The collagen template was neovascularised within 7 days, and from day 21 small vessels were detected throughout the transplanted area. The procollagen content decreased whereas the number of fibroblasts increased with time. Collagen type IV was not detected after 7 days but was deposited with time from the wound edges and inwards over the transplanted area. Re-epithelialisation was complete at day 7 and terminal differentiation was similar to normal human skin from day 21. We have shown the time course of dermal and epidermal healing with the aid of a ready-to-use biodegradable collagen membrane. This material may be used as a true dermal template-because of the evidence of dermal regeneration and, in addition, its availability and ease of handling.