The clinical effects of artificial dermis in the treatment of skin and soft tissue defects accompanied by bone or tendon exposure.

Objective: The clinical effects of artificial dermis in treating skin and soft tissue defects accompanied by bone or tendon exposure were assessed.

Approach: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 45 cases of skin and soft tissue defects accompanied by bone or tendon exposure admitted to the trauma surgery department of Fujian Provincial Hospital between February 2018 and August 2020. They were divided into the artificial dermis and control groups. The wound was assessed using the Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS), and the postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were recorded at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after surgery. At the 12-month after surgery, skin sensation recovery was evaluated using the criteria of the British Medical Research Council (BMRC).

Results: The cases included 26 males and 19 females, aged 50 to 85 years. All patients were followed up for an average of 13.8 months (range: 12-18 months). Compared with controls, the wound healing time of the observation group was longer (35.8 ± 10.6 vs. 28.5 ± 4.8, P = 0.007), without significant differences for the number of operations and length of hospitalization. The mVSS scores were not different between groups (P = 0.294), but the scores decreased with time (P < 0.001), and the group×time interaction was significant (P < 0.001). Similarly, the VAS scores were not different between groups (P = 0.667), but the scores decreased with time (P < 0.001); the group×time interaction was not significant (P = 0.274). At the 12-month mark following the operation, in the artificial dermis group, the MCRR score was S3+ in 23 patients, while it ranged from S0 to S3 in two patients; in the control group, S3+ was observed in 17 patients, and S0-S3 in three (P = 0.815).

Conclusion: Artificial dermis treatment is considered a safe and effective alternative therapy for patients with skin and soft tissue defects accompanied by bone or tendon exposure who cannot tolerate or are unwilling to undergo autologous skin flap transplantation. It offers the advantages of minimal donor site trauma, simplicity in operation, and favorable postoperative functional recovery.