Cutometrical measurement confirms the efficacy of the composite skin grafting using allogeneic acellular dermis in burns.

Measurement of viscoelasticity of the skin using the device called cutometer seems to be a very precise and promising diagnostic method in different skin pathologies. However, only a very limited number of reports dealing with the use of cutometer in burns is available. The composite skin grafting using an allogeneic acellular dermis covered with a thin epidermal autologous graft is supposed to improve viscoelastic properties of grafted skin in full-thickness burns. Cutometer MPA 580 has been used for examination of healthy skin, healed and maturated autologous split-thickness skin grafts, and in two patiens 6 years after composite skin grafting using the allogeneic acellular dermis + thin autologous epidermal graft in one stage. Typical curves defined by values of R0-R9 parameters are presented. These data document significantly better viscoelastic properties of composite skin grafts than those of conventional split-thickness skin grafts after 6 years. Measurements of viscoelasticity of the skin, using a cutometer, will probably bring useful and precise data for evaluation of the reconstructed skin in burns. Significantly better properties of the composite skin graft were assessed clinically and measured by Cutometer MPA 580 6 years after surgery.