Page 2534 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

▪ Effective as a dressing until epithelial cell regrowth occurs

▪ Requires frequent changes/application because it does not develop a blood
supply and disintegrates in about 48 hours

Allograft or Homograft (Human Tissue)

▪ Donated human cadaver skin provided through a skin bank
▪ Monitor for wound exudate and signs of infection.
▪ Rejection can occur within 24 hours

▪ Risk of transmitting bloodborne infection exists when used.

Xenograft or Heterograft (Animal Tissue)

▪ Pigskin harvested after slaughter is preserved for storage and use.
▪ Monitor for infection and wound adherence.

▪ Placed over granulation tissue; replaced every 2 to 5 days until wound heals
naturally or until closure with autograft is complete

Cultured Skin

▪ Grown in laboratory from a small specimen of epidermal cells from an unburned
portion of the client’s body
▪ Cell sheets are grafted on the client to generate permanent skin surface.
▪ Cell sheets are not durable; care must be taken when applying to ensure
adherence and prevent sloughing.

Artificial Skin

▪ Consists of 2 layers—silastic epidermis and porous dermis made from bovine
hide collagen and shark cartilage
▪ After application, fibroblasts move into the collagen part of the artificial skin and
create a structure similar to normal dermis.
▪ Artificial dermis then dissolves; it is then replaced with normal blood vessels
and connective tissue called neodermis.
▪ Neodermis supports the standard autograft placed over it when the Silastic layer
is removed.

Biosynthetic

▪ Combination of biosynthetic and synthetic materials
▪ Placed in contact with the wound surface; forms an adherent bond until
epithelialization occurs
▪ Porous substance allows exudate to pass through.
▪ Monitor for wound exudate and signs of infection.

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