Initial impression of the CelluTome™ Epidermal Harvesting System in burns management

Abstract

Small surface area burns are common. Deep burns may require excision and autologous skin grafting. This typically requires general anaesthesia, an operating theatre, inpatient treatment and donor site morbidity. Epidermal skin grafting is a viable alternative that up until recently has mainly been used in chronic wounds. We illustrate the first reported use of epidermal skin grafting with the CelluTome™ Epidermal Harvesting System on burn wounds.A series of four patients with burn wounds were collated from our institution. Each of these patients have presented with burn wounds of different chronicity and aetiology, with most requiring excision. Epidermal grafts were harvested and applied using the CelluTome™ Epidermal Harvesting System. Photographs were collected at various stages of healing.All wounds healed well with an inconspicuous donor site. There are appreciable benefits of the CelluTome™ system, and our observations with its use in burn wounds have been encouraging. Keywords: CelluTome, Epidermal grafts, Donor site, Skin grafting, Burns