Fixation of skin transplants in burns with SurfaSoft and staples. An analysis of the results.

The use of SurfaSoft and staples enables a rapid and adequate fixation of (meshed) skin grafts, even when large wounds and anatomically difficult areas are involved. The smooth, porous and transparent structure of SurfaSoft makes frequent inspection of the transplanted skin possible and allows dressing changes to be carried out from the first day after operation onwards. Analysis of 232 skin transplantations shows that on a surgical wound bed the mean take rate is 71% when full sheet or meshed transplants are used. A mean take rate of 96% can be achieved when expanded autograft and specially prepared allografts are used together for covering large wound areas. Transplantation of meshed skin on a granulating wound surface results in a mean take rate of 82%.