Management of severe hand wounds with Integra® dermal regeneration template

We report our experience with the use of Integra? for the management of severe traumatic wounds of the hand. Fifteen patients were treated with follow-up ranging from 10 to 37 months. Wounds were associated with an osseous and/or joint and/or tendon exposure. Following Integra? placement, patients were managed with dressings and subsequent split-thickness skin grafting an average of 26 days later. Integra? was successful in achieving durable, functional and aesthetic definitive coverage in 13 of 15 applications while allowing a satisfying pollicidigital prehension. Regarding our clinical experience, Integra? is an effective technique to deal with severe wounds of the hand with exposed tendon and/or bone and/or joint, even in the absence of paratenon or periosteum. This can potentially lessen the need for local rotational or free flap coverage and should be taken into consideration as a viable alternative in traumatic reconstruction of the hand.     

跟腱外露难愈创面的封闭式负压吸引治疗

目的:总结封闭式负压引流(vacuum-assisted closure,VAC)技术治疗跟腱外露创面的良好效果,为这类创面修复提供更好的治疗方法。方法:2007年1月~2014年3月,笔者应用VAC治疗18例跟腱外露患者,其中跟腱断裂术后9例,车祸伤4例,重物卡压伤2例,钢绳切割伤1例,Ⅲ度烧伤1例,Ⅲ度电击伤1例。围手术期准备后,尽快手术扩创,行创面VAC治疗。结果:所有创面经VAC治疗后,创面明显缩小,肉芽生长迅速,部分或全部覆盖外露肌腱,其中12例全部被肉芽组织覆盖,行薄中厚皮片移植修复,11例患者一期愈合。余仍有部分肌腱外露者,5例行邻近皮瓣修复,全部一期愈合;1例行人工真皮加自体刃厚皮片移植一次性修复,所有创面一期愈合率达94.4%。所有患者均随访6月~3年,无复发,局部无挛缩,功能恢复良好。结论:VAC治疗跟腱外露难愈创面,明显缩短疗程,有效防治肌腱坏死,减少手术创伤及治疗疼痛,提高愈合质量。     

Vacuum-assisted abdominal closure: its role in the treatment of complex abdominal and perineal wounds. Experience in 48 patients

INTRODUCTION: Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) is a promising approach for the management of complex abdominal and perineal wounds. This paper summarizes our experience with this therapeutic modality and demonstrates its efficacity in difficult situations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2003 until December 2005, 48 patients (age 30-89) were treated with VAC therapy for open abdomen, infected laparotomy wounds, or tissue loss due to debridement of Fournier's gangrene. Wound dressings were changed every 2-3 days. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients (79%) had major co-morbid conditions liable to impact negatively on wound healing. The treatment duration with VAC varied from 20-30 days with an average of eleven dressing changes (minimum 3-maximum 18). Treatment was effective in all patients. Spontaneous closure was achieved in 36 cases (75%); nine patients (19%) required a split-thickness skin graft, and three (6%) underwent delayed secondary closure. CONCLUSION: In our institution, VAC has become the treatment of choice for complex abdominal and perineal wounds. It is a safe, simple, and effective technique to speed wound healing and it has reduced the duration of hospital treatment in difficult clinical situations and in patients whose general condition is often severely compromised.     

Acellular dermal matrix and negative pressure wound therapy: a tissue-engineered alternative to free tissue transfer in the compromised host

Free tissue transfer has revolutionized lower extremity reconstruction; however, its use in elderly patients with multiple medical problems can be associated with elevated rate s of perioperative morbidity and mortality. This study evaluates the use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) in conjunction with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and delayed skin graft application as an alternative to free tissue transfer in this compromised population. Bilayer, ADM (Integra, Plainsboro, NJ) was used in conjunction with NPWT (Wound V.A.C, Kinetic Concepts Inc., San Antonio, TX) to achieve vascularized coverage of complex lower extremity wounds with denuded tendon and bone in elderly, medically compromised patients. Following incorporation, the matrix was covered with split-thickness skin graft. Four patients (age range, 50 to 76 years) with multiple medical comorbidities were treated with the above protocol. The average time to complete vascularization of the matrix was 29 days. Definitive closure with split-thickness skin graft was achieved in three patients and one wound healed by secondary intention. No medical or surgical complications were encountered and stable soft tissue coverage was achieved in all patients. This early experience suggests that dermal substitute and NPWT with delayed skin graft application can provide a reasonable tissue-engineered alternative to free tissue transfer in the medically compromised individual.     

Problem-adapted application of vacuum occlusion dressings: case report and clinical experience

Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC), a technique using subatmospheric pressure dressings, has been widely used for treatment of various chronic and complicated wounds. In addition to the advantages of an occlusive dressing therapy, the VAC therapy has proved effective in evacuating wound fluid, increasing tissue oxygen tension, decreasing bacterial contamination, and stimulating granulation tissue formation. This leads to more rapid re-epithelialization of wounds compared to conventional dressings. A two-phase VAC technique to provide enhanced coverage of an ischemic ulcer of the lower leg in a diabetic patient is presented. The refined VAC therapy scheme is described in detail and the results in a further 19 patients with complicated wounds of the lower leg and feet are reported. Received: 26 January 2000 / Accepted: 11 May 2000     

An improved alternative to vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) as a negative pressure dressing in lower limb split skin grafting: a clinical trial

BACKGROUND: The use of negative pressure in the dressing of split skin grafts has been shown to promote healing by a variety of mechanisms, including a decrease in interstitial oedema, an increase in perfusion and a decrease in bacterial colonisation. Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) dressings have, until now, been used as the archetype for negative pressure dressings and have been reflected as such in the literature. However, patient mobility and cost are still an issue with these dressings, and alternatives have been keenly sought. We describe an alternative method of negative pressure dressing, which we have found to be a safe and successful alternative in the setting of lower limb split skin grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort investigation was performed on nine consecutive patients at Monash Medical Centre undergoing split-skin grafting for a lower limb soft tissue defect. The dressing comprised a single cut foam sheet, a conventional disposable closed-system suction drain and an adhesive dressing. RESULTS: In all nine patients, there was a 100% take of the graft, with no partial or complete loss. There were no complications encountered. Cost analysis demonstrated a minimum treatment cost of $577 over 5 days compared to $3180 for commercial VAC dressed wounds: a net saving of $2603 per patient. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a simple suction drain is a cheap and safe alternative to commercial VAC dressings for the treatment of lower limb split skin grafts. Length of hospital stay and cost are superior to VAC, with no diminished clinical outcome.     

Dermal Regeneration Template in the Surgical Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Series of Five Cases

Soft-tissue defects in the feet of patients with diabetes continue to pose a challenge because adequate debridement often leaves an extensive defect with exposed bone, tendon, and cartilage. The use of a dermal regeneration template followed by split-thickness skin grafts in the treatment of recalcitrant diabetic foot wounds was retrospectively reviewed. In a case series of 5 patients with diabetes and extensive tissue deficits of the foot, the use of a dermal regeneration template and split-thickness skin graft enabled closure of the lower-extremity defect. All patients completely healed and were able to resume ambulation with the aid of extradepth shoes and multidensity insoles. The take of the dermal regeneration template was excellent in all patients, and the grafts (dermal regeneration templates and split-thickness skin) were durable even when placed on difficult areas such as the plantar surface and heel. No infections occurred. Exposed bone, tendon, cartilage, and fascia were successfully covered. The experience in this case series suggests that the use of the dermal regeneration template followed by split-thickness skin graft offers an option for patients with diabetes with chronic wounds that have foot defects as a result of extensive tissue loss resulting from infection.     

Vacuum-assisted wound closure (VAC therapy) for the management of patients with high-energy soft tissue injuries

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of a vacuum-assisted closure device in patients presenting with open high-energy soft tissue injuries. DESIGN: Consecutive nonrandomized clinical study. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: From August 1999 through October 2000, 21 patients, with 21 high-energy soft tissue wounds (6 tibial, 10 ankle, and 5 with wounds of the forearm, elbow, femur, pelvis, and a below-knee stump) were treated with a vacuum-assisted closure device at a Level 1 trauma center. INTERVENTION: A negative atmospheric pressure device used for the management of complex open injuries. Infected wounds had dressings changed every 48 hours, whereas all others had dressings changed every 72 to 96 hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The duration of vacuum-assisted closure use, final wound closure outcome, costs versus standard dressing changes or free flaps, and a list of all complications were recorded. All patients were followed for 6 months postcoverage. RESULTS: Patients averaged 4.1 sponge changes, 77% performed at bedside, with the device used an average of 19.3 days. Twelve wounds (57%) required either no further treatment or a split-thickness skin graft, and 9 (43%) required a free tissue transfer. CONCLUSIONS: The vacuum-assisted closure appears to be a viable adjunct for the treatment of open high-energy injuries. Application can be performed as a bedside procedure but additional soft tissue reconstruction may be needed for definitive coverage. This device does not replace the need for formal debridement of necrotic tissue, but it may avoid the need for a free tissue transfer in some patients with large traumatic wounds.     

The use of a dermal substitute to preserve maximal foot length in diabetic foot wounds with tendon and bone exposure following urgent surgical debridement for acute infection

In this study, we evaluated the utility of a dermal substitute for preserving maximal foot length after urgent surgical debridement. Patients referred to our Diabetic Foot Center with foot lesions were assessed for sensory–motor neuropathy, infection and critical limb ischaemia. The presence of acute foot infection indicated the need for immediate surgical debridement. The degree of amputation, if necessary, was based on the amount of apparently non infected vital tissue. When vital tendon/bone tissue remained exposed, the lesion was covered with a dermal substitute. From January to December 2008, 393 patients underwent surgical treatment for diabetic foot syndrome; 30 patients underwent immediate surgical debridement resulting in exposed tendon and/or bone tissues. An average of 4·4 ± 2·1 days following surgical debridement, all 30 patients underwent dermal regeneration template grafting to cover‐exposed healthy tendon and bone tissues, instead of achieving primary wound closure with a proximal amputation. After 21 days, a skin graft was performed. Complete wound healing occurred in 26 patients (86·7%). In these patients, the amputation level was significantly more distal (P < 0·003) with respect to that potentially required for immediate wound closure. The average healing time was 74·1 ± 28·9 days. Four patients underwent a more proximal amputation. No patients underwent major amputation. The use of the dermal substitute for treating exposed tendon and bone tissues allowed timely wound healing and preserved maximal foot length. Continued follow‐up will allow assessment of long‐term relapse and complication rates. Such treatment could constitute part of the comprehensive management of diabetic wounds.     

Management of pyoderma gangrenosum with combination of systemic treatment,vacuum-assisted closure and synthetic dermal substitute

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a destructive, necrotizing cutaneous process where surgical debridement can produce 'pathergy' phenomenon. Actually, an accepted strategy is to control the disease medically and follow-up with delayed surgical intervention with a split-thickness skin grafting after prolonged courses of immunosuppressive therapy. We report two cases of pretibial PG, one of them a complicated case of a 23 year-old woman with ulcerative colitis and a huge PG which was successfully treated with a synergistic approach utilizing a sequential protocol with systemic treatment, surgical debridement, antimicrobial silver dressing (Acticoat®), vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy and a double layer of synthetic dermal substitute (Integra®) with a skin graft. A systematic review of the literature displays no previous cases utilizing this combined approach. Rare case reports have described VAC therapy use in the management of PG, and only one has described Integra® use. In both cases, rebuilding of the scaffolding were achieved, there was no evidence of recurrence of PG, the cosmetic results were overall satisfactory without limitation of movement for extension and flexion of the foot.Level of Evidence: Level V, therapeutic study.     

Subatmospheric pressure dressings in the temporary treatment of soft tissue injuries associated with type III open tibial shaft fractures in children

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the use of subatmospheric pressure dressings on high-energy open tibial shaft fractures in children. We hypothesized that the use of a negative-pressure dressing in these fractures would result in a decreased incidence of infection and decreased need for pedicled muscle flaps and free tissue transfer. METHODS: A retrospective case series of 15 consecutive pediatric patients with 16 type III open tibial shaft fractures (8 type IIIA, 7 type IIIB, and 1 type IIIC). The patients' age ranged from 2 to 17 years. All patients underwent a standard protocol of serial irrigation and debridement of the open wound with bony stabilization. Temporary coverage of the open wound was obtained with the use of a subatmospheric pressure dressing until definitive wound coverage or closure. RESULTS: Infection occurred in 5 of 16 fractures, 2 requiring antibiotics alone (1 type IIIA and 1 type IIIB) and 3 requiring surgical intervention (2 type IIIB and 1 type IIIC). Seven of 16 (3 type IIIA, 3 type IIIB, and 1 type IIIC) fractures required repeat surgical intervention to facilitate bony healing. Only 3 patients required free tissue transfers or rotational muscle flaps for coverage, a 50% decrease compared with the initial classification. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with other described methods, the use of subatmospheric pressure dressings in the temporary treatment of soft tissue wounds associated with high-energy open tibial shaft may reduce the need for major soft tissue coverage procedures. Its effect on infection and fracture healing rates requires further study. SIGNIFICANCE: A reduction in the need for major soft tissue coverage procedures with the use of negative-pressure dressings in this setting should result in decreased morbidity for these patients and in decreased social and financial costs.     

Experience with wound VAC and delayed primary closure of contaminated soft tissue injuries in Iraq

BACKGROUND: Wartime missile injuries are frequently high-energy wounds that devitalize and contaminate tissue, with high risk for infection and wound complications. Debridement, irrigation, and closure by secondary intention are fundamental principles for the management of these injuries. However, closure by secondary intention was impractical in Iraqi patients. Therefore, wounds were closed definitively before discharge in all Iraqi patients treated for such injures at our hospital. A novel wound management protocol was developed to facilitate this practice, and patient outcomes were tracked. This article describes that protocol and discusses the outcomes in a series of 88 wounds managed with it. METHODS: High-energy injuries were treated with rapid aggressive debridement and pulsatile lavage, then covered with negative pressure (vacuum-assisted closure [VAC]) dressings. Patients underwent serial operative irrigation and debridement until wounds appeared clean to gross inspection, at which time they were closed primarily. Patient treatment and outcome data were recorded in a prospectively updated database. RESULTS: Treatment and outcomes data from September 2004 through May 2005 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 88 high-energy soft tissue wounds identified in 77 patients. Surprisingly, for this cohort of patients the wound infection rate was 0% and the overall wound complication rate was 0%. CONCLUSION: This series of 88 cases is the first report of the use of a negative pressure dressing (wound VAC) as part of the definitive management of high-energy soft tissue wounds in a deployed wartime environment. Our experience with these patients suggests that conventional wound management doctrine may be improved with the wound VAC, resulting in earlier more reliable primary closure of wartime injuries.     

The vacuum assisted closure device: a method of securing skin grafts and improving graft survival

HYPOTHESIS: Use of the vacuum assisted closure device (VAC) for securing split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) is associated with improved wound outcomes compared with bolster dressings. DESIGN: Consecutive case series. PATIENTS AND SETTING: Consecutive patients at a level I trauma center requiring STSG due to traumatic or thermal tissue loss during an 18-month period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Repeated skin grafting due to failure of the initial graft. Secondary outcome measures included dressing-associated complications, percentage of graft take, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients underwent STSG placement. Indications for STSG were burn injury (n = 32), soft tissue loss (n = 27), and fasciotomy-site coverage (n = 2). Patients were treated with the VAC (n = 34) or the bolster dressing (n = 27). The VAC group required significantly fewer repeated STSGs (1 [3%] vs 5 [19%]; P =.04). Two additional graft failures occurred in the no-VAC group, but repeated STSGs were refused by these patients. No difference was seen between the groups in age, percentage of graft take, or hospital length of stay. The no-VAC group had significantly larger grafts (mean +/- SD, 984 +/- 996 vs 386 +/- 573 cm(2); P =.006). The patients requiring repeated STSGs (n = 6) did not have significantly larger grafts than those not requiring repeated STSGs (mean +/- SD, 617 +/- 717 vs 658 +/- 857 cm(2); P =.62). No dressing-associated complications occurred in the VAC group. CONCLUSIONS: The VAC provides a safe and effective method for securing STSGs and is associated with improved graft survival as measured by a reduction in number of repeated STSGs.     

Reconstructive surgery using an artificial dermis (Integra): results with 19 grafts

BACKGROUND: Integra was initially developed for covering of acute burn wounds. The artificial dermis is a bilayered dermal substitute, the upper layer is a thin silicone layer, which acts as temporary epidermis, the under layer is a collagen network, which functions as the dermis. In the meantime, Integra is applicated in reconstructive surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We present a series of 12 patients who underwent reconstructive surgery with Integra grafting for a total of 19 operational sites. The average area grafted per procedure was 210 cm(2) (15-1 200 cm(2)). The operation sites were located at the extremities, trunk and head-neck. The split thickness skin graft was performed, on average, after 20 days (16-29 days). The patients were admitted for 41 days on average (24 days-3 months). The follow-up was after 17 months (9-30 months). RESULTS: Early complications included seroma, loss of Intregra, and infection. Late complications were instable scars. In five cases, we found slight hypertrophe scars in borderline between healthy skin and covering with Integra. CONCLUSION: The advantages of using Integra in reconstructive surgery are its immediate availability and the availability in large quantities. Disadvantages are the necessity of two operations, risks of infection, the high price and time-consuming dressing changes. Defect covering with Integra should be used in special cases.     

Experience with the vacuum assisted closure negative pressure technique in the treatment of non-healing diabetic and dysvascular wounds

The purpose of this study is to report our experience with the Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) negative pressure technique in patients with non-healing wounds of the foot, ankle, and lower limb. We retrospectively reviewed 17 patients with non-healing wounds of the lower extremity who underwent treatment using the Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) device. Thirteen of 17 (76%) had diabetes mellitus, nine of whom were insulin-dependent, and 10 of whom had associated peripheral neuropathy. Eight of 17 (47%) had severe peripheral vascular disease. All had failed previous management with serial wound debridements and dressing changes; 15 of 17 (88%) had previously completed at least one course of oral antibiotics. Thirteen of 17 (76%) had previously undergone operative irrigation and debridement of the wounds; six of 17 (35%) had previously undergone revascularization procedures of the involved extremity. Five of 17 (29%) had wounds necessitating an amputation procedure prior to the present treatment; seven of 17 (41%) had failed treatment with local growth factors prior to the present treatment. Average length of treatment with the VAC device was 8.2 weeks. Fourteen of 17 (82%) wounds successfully healed; four underwent split-thickness skin grafting for wound closure; four were briefly treated with local growth factors; six were treated with only dressing changes following VAC treatment. Three of 17 (18%) wounds failed VAC treatment; all three patients had diabetes and had wounds located in the midfoot or forefoot; two of three had severe peripheral vascular disease. Our results indicate that the Vacuum Assisted Closure negative pressure technique is emerging as an acceptable option for wound care of the lower extremity. Not all patients are candidates for such treatment; those patients with severe peripheral vascular disease or smaller forefoot wounds may be best treated by other modalities. Larger wounds seem to be better suited for skin grafting or two-stage primary closure.     

Conservative surgical debridement as a burn treatment: Supporting evidence from a porcine burn model

In thermal deep‐dermal burns, surgical debridement is normally used in conjunction with skin grafting or skin substitutes and debridement alone as a burn treatment is not usually practiced. The current study addresses whether or not debridement alone would enhance burn wound healing on small deep‐dermal‐partial thickness burns. This was a prospective and blinded experimental trial using a porcine deep‐dermal‐partial thickness burn model. Four burns, approximately 50 cm² in size, were created on each of eight pigs. Two burns from each pig were immediately surgically debrided and the other two were not debrided as the internal control. Hydrate gel together with paraffin gauze were used to cover the burns for four pigs and silver dressings for the other four. Clinical assessment of wound healing was conducted over a 6‐week period. Skin samples were collected at the end of the experiment and histopathological evaluation was performed. The results show thinner scar formation and lower scar height in the debrided compared with nondebrided wounds in the hydrate gel/paraffin gauze groups. There were no statistically significant differences in wound healing assessment between the debrided and nondebrided wounds dressed with silver dressings. This study provides supporting evidence that immediate debridement with an appropriate dressing and without skin grafting may promote wound healing, suggesting its potential benefit for clinical patients.     

复合皮移植修复烧伤功能部位创面疗效评价

目的探讨脱细胞同种异体真皮与自体刃厚皮复合移植修复深度烧伤功能部位创面的疗效。方法 2002年6月-2008年12月,收治30例烧伤及瘢痕整形患者共42个创面。男25例,女5例;年龄3～52岁,中位年龄31岁。烧伤24例35个创面,其中深Ⅱ度23个创面,Ⅲ度12个创面;病程3～45 d,平均24 d。瘢痕整形6例7个创面;病程9～21 d,平均16 d。42个创面分别位于颈部2个,手部4个,前臂及肘部8个,肩部3个,腘窝6个,膝部4个,小腿及足踝部15个。彻底清创、削痂及切除瘢痕后,创面范围为10 cm×10 cm～30 cm×20 cm。采用一步法将脱细胞同种异体真皮与自体刃厚皮复合移植修复创面。结果术后27例39个(92.9%)创面复合皮移植完全成活;3例3个(7.1%)创面复合皮部分坏死,分别经换药和自体皮片移植术后愈合。患者均获随访,随访时间30～34个月,平均32个月。复合皮有轻度色素沉着,外观平整,质地柔软,弹性好,皮肤耐磨;复合皮无挛缩及瘢痕增生,功能部位活动正常。刃厚皮供皮区未见瘢痕增生。结论脱细胞同种异体真皮与自体刃厚皮复合移植修复功能部位深度烧伤及瘢痕整形创面,可获得良好外形及功能。     

负压封闭引流技术在介入治疗后皮肤坏死软组织缺损中的应用

目的：探讨负压封闭引流技术在介入治疗后皮肤坏死软组织缺损创面的治疗作用。方法：对22例介入治疗后有皮肤软组织缺损坏死的患者采用负压封闭引流装置治疗,并在每次更换负压装置时进行清创。经过15～40天,平均28天的治疗后,部分患者在创面上行二期游离皮片或皮瓣转移修复术。结果：22例患者经过治疗后创面清洁、面积缩小、肉芽生长迅速,16例患者在负压引流治疗后创面直接上皮化愈合,6例患者经过游离皮片移植或皮瓣转移修复后愈合。结论：自制简易负压吸引结合间断清创能够减少创面污染、促进肉芽组织生长、加速创面愈合,还可为二期手术创造条件,缩短术前准备时间,且减轻患者痛苦及医务人员工作量。     

Vacuum-assisted closure of a large palmar defect after debriding a midpalmar tuberculous abscess

A rare case of tuberculous deep palmar abscess of the hand was treated with radical excisional debridement, resulting in a large palmar skin and soft tissue defect that was successfully closed with a vacuum dressing followed by split skin grafting. Vacuum dressings are useful adjuncts to treat large soft tissue defects in patients who are unsuitable for complex reconstruction. The moist wound environment prevents desiccation of exposed vital structures and decreases pain, allowing early mobilisation in the hand. The wound granulates and contracts rapidly, allowing earlier skin grafting or faster healing by secondary intention. The closed system vacuum dressing is particularly useful in managing debrided tuberculous soft tissue infections. The dressing is perfectly sealed and requires less frequent changing, decreasing contamination and transmission of tuberculosis to other patients and health care staff, while minimising the risk of secondary nosocomial bacterial infection of the wound.     

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.