Allogenic skin in the treatment of burns.

Allogenic skin has had a major role in acute burns care for over 100 years. The principle source of allogenic skin is from cadavers. Allogenic skin provides the gold standard for temporary skin substitutes. The main drawbacks to its wider use are availability and disease transmission. The major obstacle to prolonged use is its immunogenicity. As more effective means are developed to ensure the supply and safety of allogenic skin and novel ways of circumventing the immunologic problems are developed, it is possible that allogenic skin may find a new role as a permanent skin replacement in future burns care.