Comparison of repair characteristics of artificial dermis composite tissue with traditional prefabricated flap

BACKGROUND:We compared the application of artificial dermis composite tissue and the traditional prefabricated flap in a rat model of an exposed bone and tendon injury. METHODS:Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups (A and B, n = 40). Group A rats received artificial dermis composite tissue flaps while group B rats received traditional prefabricated flaps. Flap appearance, range of motion, degree of swelling, tissue histology, and imaging were compared between groups at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. RESULTS:There was no difference in flap appearance, range of motion, and degree of swelling between groups. However, blood perfusion of the artificial dermis composite tissue flap was better than in the traditional prefabricated flap; artificial dermis was also found to be thicker than the traditional prefabricated flap. CONCLUSIONS:The artificial dermis composite tissue flap is an ideal method for repairing exposed bone and tendon, and displays a comparable repair effects and that it may be a bet...