Survival of isolated skin explants in remote interaction with stratiform periodic structures

Abstract

Full-thickness skin grafts are used in reconstructive surgeries. Objectives Experimental study of the possibility of long-term preservation of viable skin grafts in severely impaired trophics at remote interaction with entities having stratiform periodic structure. Material and methods Full-thickness skin was excised from the rabbits' backside and dissected into explants sized 1.0 × 1.0 cm. The samples (n = 81) were divided into three groups and thermostated for 2 days at 37 °C at a various distance from the metal (aluminum) presented as a 20-layer package of smooth foil forming a stratiform periodic structure (SPS) (series I), chaotic layers of squeezed foil (series II) and a single-piece sheet (series III). Histological analysis was performed for the three series to evaluate the explants' viability after the thermostating. Results The highest survival estimates were seen in experimental explants of series I that interacted with the SPS of stratified foil layers. The wave nature of such remote interaction was suggested with delayed dystrophic and necrotic processes developing in the skin samples. Experimental samples of series III appeared to be less viable. The explant vitality in series II was sharply reduced due to rapidly spreading necrosis. Conclusion Skin explants were shown to retain viability for a longer time when interacting remotely with stratiform periodic structures in the absent trophics. These promising results can be practical for the development of wound dressings to improve survival of full-thickness skin transplantation in reconstruction of deep skin defects.

Keywords

• deep burns
• full-thickness skin explants
• epidermis
• stratiform periodic structure
• photonic crystal