Dermal Substitutes

Representative dermal substitutes: Integra®, a synthesized from pure bovine collagen and AlloDerm®, which is human dermal acellular matrix processed from donated cadaver skin. In addition, multiple products such as Terudermis® (low antigenic atelocollagen obtained from calf), Pelnac® (synthesized from porcine atelocollagen), and Matriderm® (synthesized by adding elastin to bovine collagen) are also available in the market. I have experienced in working with all of these products for various reconstructive, trauma and burn surgeries. However, in this paper, I would like to focus on comparing the clinical and practical experience of Integra® and AlloDerm®. I have selected these two products because the compositions of their materials are very different and each has unique advantages and usefulness. Currently, many books and publications have introduced various products mainly for acute wound coverage, and not enough of introducing operative results and evaluation studies. In this paper, I aim to describe the differences between the two products in terms of clinical findings from surgeries; aspect of author’s experienced graft techniques, new and more variable extended applications, and long-term follow-up results. In particular, I want to draw attention to the use of dermal substitutes Integra® and AlloDerm®, the interpretation of surgical techniques, the expansion of the indications for human dermal matrix AlloDerm® for limb salvage, and the osteomyelitis wound management technique the author developed (using AlloDerm®) and its utility.