The use of non-viable glycerol-preserved cadaver skin combined with widely expanded autografts in the treatment of extensive third-degree burns.

Allograft skin lyophilised in 98% glycerol is an effective overlay for widely expanded autografts. The technique was evaluated clinically on a total of 58 sandwich grafting procedures in a group of 39 patients with extensive third-degree burns. Forty-five grafting operations performed within 10 days postburn all resulted in an epithelialisation rate of at least 75% within 5 weeks. Thirty-three of these procedures achieved complete (more than 95%) wound closure. Of 13 operations performed after the 14th postburn day, ten resulted in a wound epithelialisation of at least 75%. Epithelial quality and cosmetic results were good. The mean length of hospitalisation was 56 days. One patient died from unassociated respiratory failure. The absence of allograft viability did not impair its function as an autograft overlay. The apparent attenuation of allograft antigenicity conferred by the action of 98% glycerol may have contributed to the results achieved. The process of cadaver skin preservation in 98% glycerol is simple and inexpensive.