The use of Biobrane® as a delivery method for cultured epithelial autograft in burn patients.

Background: Cultured epithelial autografts (CEA) are well described in the literature and are advantageous when dealing with major burns. There have been many methods of CEA application described, however they all have their own difficulties. Here we describe a novel technique of culturing the keratinocytes in Biobrane(®).

Methods: Skin samples were taken from three patients and cultured into pre-confluent keratinocytes. These were seeded in Biobrane(®) and applied directly to the patients' wounds.

Results: Three patients had Biobrane(®) with seeded keratinocytes applied. The Biobrane was applied to both donor and burn wound sites, with healing times being similar to the keratinocyte sheets.

Conclusion: The experience of the authors shows that using Biobrane(®) seeded with keratinocytes was easier to handle and quicker to produce than confluent sheets of keratinocytes, with no perceived disadvantages to the patients.