A historical appraisal of the use of cryopreserved and glycerol-preserved allograft skin in the treatment of partial thickness burns.

Two studies into the use of allograft skin in the treatment of partial thickness burn injuries in this burn centre have provided the opportunity to discuss changes and similarities over a 20 year period. The first study described results obtained with cryopreserved allografts in partial thickness burns in the period 1979-1981. The second study concerned patients with partial thickness injuries treated with glycerol-preserved allografts in the period 1998-2000. A reduction was noted concerning the need for secondary autografting in the group treated with glycerolized allografts. The probability that this difference has occurred by chance is small (P=0.089). Various other factors that might account for the differences in outcome, include general improvements in health and social welfare, differences in treatment protocols, and differences in allograft properties. A prospective comparative trial is indicated to study direct differences between the two types of allograft.