In efforts to prevent and reduce joint
contracture and
scar formation after
burn, we used the acellular human dermis (
AlloDerm) as a dermal replacement in the acute stage. A total of 64 patients received
AlloDerm graft selectively on joint areas during the study period from March, 2005 to July, 2007. From January to March, 2008, a total of 31 patients returned to our burn center to examine the functional results by measuring range of motion of joints. Additionally, the quality of grafted skin condition criteria of skin elasticity,
scar thickness, trans-epidermal water loss,
melanin and
erythema level was measured in a total of 11 patients among them. By analyzing the limitation level of 55 joints excluding hand areas, we found that 24 joints (43.6%) showed no limitations, 12 joints (21.8%) showed limitations below 10%, 16 joints (29.1%) showed limitations between 10 and 19% and 3 joints (5.5%) showed limitations over 20%. The
scar thickness of non-
AlloDerm applied areas was 2.5+/-0.9 mm and
AlloDerm applied areas was 1.8+/-0.7 mm (p = 0.396). Trans-epidermal water loss for non-
AlloDerm applied areas was 20.9+/-7.7 g/h/m(2) and
AlloDerm applied areas was 10.8+/-3.4 g/h/m(2) (p<0.001).
Erythema value for non-
AlloDerm applied areas was 436.1+/-65.8, whereas
AlloDerm applied area was 394.4+/-61.2 (p<0.001). Acellular dermal matrix is a good option for treating major
burns to prevent
scar formation after
burn and loss of joint function.