Integra as a dermal replacement in a meshed composite skin graft in a rat model: a one-step operative procedure.

BACKGROUND Current use of Integra, the collagen-based dermal analogue, requires a two-step grafting procedure to achieve wound closure with an "ultrathin" autograft. METHODS A one-step operative procedure of meshed composite skin graft (MCSG) using Integra as a dermal template for a meshed split thickness autograft was developed in rats. The silicon layer of Integra was removed, the resulting dermal analogue was meshed (1:1.5), expanded, and placed on excised full thickness wound and covered with a meshed (1:1.5 or 1:6) split thickness autograft. Grafted wounds were dressed with BioBrane, Vaseline gauze, silver-impregnated nylon, or silver-nylon and direct current (SNDC). At scheduled intervals up to 3 months postgrafting, wounds were examined for epithelialization, collagen deposition and fibrosis, hair growth, and contraction. The results of wound closure and healing following the one-step procedure were compared with the outcome of the two-step grafting procedure where application of meshed Integra (step one) was followed in 14 days by removal of the silicon layer and application of the meshed autograft (step two). RESULTS The one-step procedure applied to meshed autograft/Integra (1:1.5/1:1.5) composite graft accelerated wound closure by 6-19 days when compared with the two-step procedure. At 3 months postgrafting, the contraction of the healed wound dressed with SNDC, BioBrane, or Vaseline gauze was reduced by 13-16% following the one-step procedure compared with the two-step procedure (p < 0.05). The one-step procedure allowed the expansion of the autograft layer to 1:6 while achieving wound healing results similar to grafting with 1:1.5 meshed autograft layer using the two-step grafting procedure. CONCLUSION Single-step application of meshed, thin, split thickness autograft over meshed Integra-derived dermal substitute allows more rapid wound closure with less contraction and more efficient use of graft donor skin than can be obtained with the commonly used two-step grafting procedure.