Comparative Experimental Study of Dermal Stability: Acellular Dermal Matrix versus Crayopreserved Dermis

BACKGROUND: Given the potential usefulness of Acellular Dermal Matrices (ADM) for wound healing, we aimed to evaluate the stability, histological characteristics, and effectiveness of ADM compared with cryopreserved dermis (CPD) in rat models. METHODS: This experimental study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran, from January to March 2015. The prepared ADM and CPD were transplanted to the full-thickness skin defects on the back of Sprague-Dawley rats. Forty-five days after grafting, the tissues were harvested for histological examination. These two types of the dermis' quality and stability were compared with consideration of the following factors; inflammation, fibroblasts migration, vascularization, collagen formation, capsule formation, and microabscess formation. RESULTS: From 19 selected rates, nine received CPD, and ten were treated with ADM. After transplantation, the mean (SD) weight of ADM and CPD grafts were 1.74 (0.07) and 1.45 (0.77), respectively (P<0.001). The frequency of inflammation was significantly higher in CPD grafts (P<0.01). Higher grades of collagen organization, fibroblast spreading, and vascularization were more frequent in ADM grafts (P<0.01). The frequency of capsule and microabscesses formation was not significantly different between studied groups. CONCLUSION: ADM have a superior effect than CPD in the wound healing process. Both samples had a similar effect in capsule and microabscesses formation and higher costs of ADM preparation. According to the physicians' decision and evaluation of the process's cost-effectiveness, CPD could be appropriately used as an alternative to ADM.