The use of the artificial dermis (Integra®) in combination with vacuum assisted closure for reconstruction of an extensive burn scar – A case report

SummaryThe artificial dermis Integra® (Ethicon®, Johnson & Johnson Medical, Norderstedt, Germany) is widely used in the treatment of excessive burn injuries. It is also used in reconstructive surgery when large soft-tissue defects could not be covered with local or free flaps. In this article a 25-year old patient who presented with an early childhood burn of the trunk and lower extremity was treated with Integra® in combination with the vacuum assisted closure (V.A.C.®, KCI, Texas, U.S.A.) and split thickness skin grafting. The combination of the artifical dermal substitute with negative pressure therapy has lead to a complete healing of Integra® and the skin graft. During the whole treatment sterile wound conditions were present and time-consuming dressing changes could be prevented. Hospital stay was shortened because the patient could be treated as an outpatient with an ambulant vacuum assisted closure device.