The Use of Dermal Substitutes in Burn Surgery: Acute Phase

Dermal substitutes are becoming more and more an essential part of burn care. During the acute phase of burn treatment, dermal substitutes improve functional and cosmetic results long term and thus enhance quality of life. In the chronic wound setting, dermal substitutes are used to reconstruct and improve burn scars and other defects. Despite the potential and need of dermal substitutes, further research is required not only to strengthen scientific evidence regarding their effects but also to develop new technology and products. Furthermore, dermal substitutes also emerge as pivotal research strategies to develop adequate scaffolds for stem cells, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications to obtain long-lasting and scarless artificial skin.