Surviving an Extensive Burn Injury Using Advanced Skin Replacement Technologies.

Abstract

There have been significant improvements in the technology available for treating extensive burns in the past decade. This case presents two unique, skin replacement technologies that were used to treat an 86% surface area flame burn in a pediatric patient. A temporary dermal replacement, known as Novosorb™ Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix was first used to stabilize the burn injury and remained in place for approximately three months. Given the large burn size and lack of available donor skin for grafting, a permanent skin replacement product known as Self-Assembled Skin Substitute (SASS) was then utilized to cover the burns. SASS is a novel technology that was developed to replace skin as an autologous skin graft and is currently available in Canada through a clinical trial for major burns. Ultimately, the concurrent use of these two technologies allowed for the unprecedented survival of a child following an extensive and life-threatening burn injury.