Microskin grafting in the treatment of extensive burns: a preliminary report.

Microskin grafting has proved to be an effective new procedure for the treatment of extensive burns, in which only a minimum amount of autogenous skin is needed for coverage of a large full-thickness burn wound. The technique has been improved and applied in 17 major burn patients. All patients survived. The wound covered with microskin grafts ranged from 6% to 45% TBSA, with a mean area of 24.1% TBSA. The expansion ratio of micrografts in this series reached up to 1:18, and can be greater. The wound healing was accomplished in three ways. 1) Wounds were completely resurfaced by micrografts in 24 limbs (58.5%). 2) Wounds were not totally healed with micrografts by the time the homograft was rejected, leaving only small raw areas which needed re-grafting in 12 limbs (29.3%). 3) The micrografts did not take on four limbs and one chest wall (12.2%). The improved technique, which has become more simple and feasible, is discussed in detail.