Basic fibroblast growth factor-impregnated collagen gelatin sponge completes formation of dermis-like tissue within 2 weeks: A prospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION: This study included patients who underwent full-thickness skin reconstruction using a two-stage procedure comprising basic fibroblast growth factor-impregnated collagen gelatin sponge (bFGF-CGS) implantation and autologous skin grafting, and the take rate of skin grafts was compared between groups of patients who underwent autologous skin grafting after a waiting period of <2 weeks or ≥2 weeks. METHODS: An acute, full-thickness skin defect was treated with thorough debridement of contaminated/necrotic tissue, followed by washing with saline and hemostasis with electrocautery. Then, an FGF-CGS was fixed to the skin defect wound using non-absorbable sutures, and after confirming regeneration of sufficient dermis-like tissue, the second-stage autologous skin grafting was performed for wound closure. Patients were divided into two groups according to the waiting period before the second operation, namely, <2 weeks (early group) and ≥2 weeks (late group), and the take rate of skin grafts was compared. RESULTS: We enrolled and treated 25 cases (18 men, 7 women; mean age: 49 [range 2–86] years). The mean take rate of skin grafts was 93% (range 80%–100%) in the early group and 92% (range 65%–100%) in the late group, with no significant difference between the two groups. There was a significant difference between the groups in mean time to complete healing: 25.2 ± 9.7 days in the early group vs 44.7 ± 27 days in the late group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that bFGF-CGF can form dermis-like granulation tissue with sufficient quality as a graft bed for skin transplantation within 2 weeks.