The primary causes of wounds requiring skin replacement are severe burns and ulcers. Materials must provide an effective temporary barrier, promote healing and minimise scarring. Massive improvements have been made to skin repair biomaterials in the last ten years with widespread adoption of new developments in the medical sector. This book provides a comprehensive review of the range of biomaterials for treating skin loss.
Part one discusses the basics of skin replacement with chapters on such topics as markets and regulation, biomechanics and the biological environment of skin. Part two then reviews epidermal and dermal replacement technology with chapters on such topics as alternative delivery of keratinocytes, collagen-based and human origin-based dermal replacement, and lyophilized xenogenic products. The final section explores combined dermis and epidermal replacement technologies and provides a round-up of skin replacement principles.