Role of B.A. Petrov in foundation and development of free flap skin transplantation problem

: The article reviews the history of development of free-flap skin transplantation and basic role of acad. B.A. Petrov who was the first to show the role of dermatom skin transplantation in vast granulating wounds as the only method saving the life of patients with severe burns. He also suggested to solve an actual problem--deficiency of resources of donor skin--by repeated excision of skin flaps from previously used donor sites and use of cadaver skin. Very important is ales the role of B.A. Petrov in development of such particular questions as the role of patient's condition, wound bed am microbial flora of the wound in survival of skin transplants. In aspect of historical relationships the perspective of new approach to treatment of deep burns by transplantation of ceratinocytes, cultivated outside the patient's organism is shown.