Objective To develop a new kind of skin substitute, selective acellular porcine skin, to cover excised wounds in treatment of extensivedeep burns on the basis of controlled de-cell technique. Methods Partial thickness porcine skin was treated with 0.25% trypsin for 2 hours at 37℃ after crosslinked with glutaraldehyde, and then it was glued to a container with the edge embedded with glue. The skin was shaken in 0.5% SDS for 24 hours, and then washed before use. The selective acellular skin was used with micro-autografts on the dermal side to cover 2 surgically excised burn wounds in a patient. The recoveries of function and appearance were observed. Results Morphological observation showed that the treated porcine skin had an intact epithelial layer and an acellular dermis. After being used to cover burn wounds, its acellular dermis could serve as host dermal matrix, and its devitalized epithelial layer could prevent the dermis from drying. The devitalized epithelium wasfinally replaced by host epithelial cells, and the healed wounds could achieve good cosmetic and functional results. Conclusion Selective acellular porcine skin can be used as promising skin substitute to cover excised wounds.
Objective To prepare and study the biocompatibil ity of selectively decellular xenoskin which has the character of the lower antigen, continuous epidermis, and the dermal matrix without any cellular components. Methods The porcine skin was treated with glutaraldehyde solution, trypsin, and detergent solution TritonX-100 to prepare the selectivelydecellular xenoskin. The cytotoxicity was tested according to GB/T16886.5-2003 biological evaluation of medical devices for in vitro cytotoxicity, and the levels of cytotoxicity were evaluated with the United States Pharmacopeia. Subdermal implantation was tested according to GB/T16886.6-1997 biological evaluation of medical devices for local effects after implantation. Seventytwo mature Wistar rats were randomly assigned to groups A, B, and C (n=24). Three kinds of materials were implanted into subcutaneous of rats back. Selectively decellular xenoskin was transplanted into group A, fresh porcine skin was transplanted into group B, and allogeneic skin was transplanted into group C. The samples were collected to make the observation of gross and histology after 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Results The cytotoxicity was proved to be first grade by biocompatibil ity test. The gross and histological observation of subdermal implantation: after implantation, the most severe inflammatory reactions were seen in group B which dispersion was very slow. Inflammatory reactions in groups A and C alleviated gradually. In groups A and C, there was an increased collagen fiber density and angiogenesis at late stage; the transplanted skin was gradually degraded and absorbed. In group B, no obvious degradation and absorption were observed. Conclusion Selectively decellular xenoskin, prepared with glutaraldehyde solution, trypsin, and detergent solution, possesses characteristics of integral skin structure andexcellent biocompatibil ity, so it can be used as a new type substitute to repair the burn wound.