Short- and long-term results of application of allogeneic cultured keratinocytes on burn wounds and burn scar

Hypertrophic scarring is still a crucial problem in burn care, especially in large burn victims who now survive more frequently. Preventative measures are needed at different time points in order to avoid further damage to residual epidermal remnants. Stimulation of reepithelialization has been carried out since 1987 in our burn centre using a combined technique of placing keratinocyte cultures on top of split-thickness meshed skin autografts. In vitro results showed that cultured keratinocyte cell extracts inhibit collagen lattice contraction. In two patient studies, an approximately two-fold stimulation of reepithelialization of meshed skin transplants was found when covered by fresh or lysated allogeneic keratinocyte cultures. No long-term effect on scar formation was found using this combined technique.