Publication:

The reliability of use of combined homograft and autograft in management of major burns

Background The aim of the study to present the reliability of application of intermingled skin homoograft and autograft in major deep burn cases in comparison with using homograft only. Early excision and skin graft closure of major burns is a life-saving procedure that reduces morbidity and mortality of severe burns. Patients suffering major burns lack adequate donor site skin graft to resurface burn wounds so they need another substitutes for coverage as homograft.

Methods This cohort prospective study was conducted at Menoufia University Hospitals from January 2017 to January 2019 and with follow up 6 months. The population of the study was 54 patients with major deep burns. After stabilization they were divided into 2 groups, the first underwent homograft and the second underwent combined homograft and autograft. They vary between children and adults. Follow up done over 6 months regarding rejection, need of another graft and mortalityResults: Our study was undergone on 54 patients; 30 patients homograft (55.5%) and 24 patients combined grafts (44.5%). Forty eight patients survived, and six patients died (12.5%), with a mean age 26.3 years (range, 1-50). There was statistically significant difference between 2 groups regarding rejection time, need of another graft, percentage of rejected area and mortality.

Conclusions Combined homografts and autografts is considered gold standard in management of major burns with lack of adequate autograft. It is superior to use of homograft only regarding morbidity, mortality and need for another graft.