OBJECTIVETo observe the feasibility of repairing non-healing wound with artificial dermis and autologous skin graft, and to evaluate its efficacy.

METHODSTwenty in-patients with 25 non-healing wounds lasting more than 8 weeks were divided into chronic ulcer group (9 patients with 11 ulcerating scars after trauma and burn), and bone exposing group (11 patients with 14 wounds with exposed bone ranging from 0.8 - 77.0 cm(2) in size, the largest 22.0 cm x 3.5 cm). Wounds were debrided and repaired with artificial dermis in the first stage. Autologous split-thickness skin was grafted in the II stage when the wounds were well vascularized locally and exposed bone and tendon were covered with dermis-like tissue within 2 - 6 weeks.

RESULTSIn chronic ulcer group, 9 of the 11 wounds healed well, the other 2 healed after routine dressing change. In bone exposing group, 12 of the 14 wounds healed well and the exposed bone was effectively covered; artificial dermis on the other 2 wounds failed to survive due to infection, and they were repaired with skin flap later. Patients were followed up for 5 - 24 months. Wounds healed with satisfactory appearance and no recurrence of wound or obvious hyperplasic scar was observed; no obvious scar was observed in the donor site.

CONCLUSIONSThe method of repairing non-healing wound with artificial dermis combining with autologous skin graft is simple; and it results in healing of wounds with high quality and little damage to the donor site. It provides a new choice for repairing non-healing wound.