ABSTRACT
Skin loss can occur due to many reasons, including genetic disorders (bullous conditions), acute trauma, chronic wounds, or even surgical interventions. One of the most common reasons for major skin loss is thermal trauma, where substantial areas of skin can be damaged, often without the possibility of skin regeneration.1 Wounds can be divided into epidermal, supercial partial thickness, deep partial thickness, and full thickness based on the depth of the injury.2 Epidermal injuries are characterized by erythema and minor pain. Supercial partial-thickness wounds affect the epidermis and supercial parts of the dermis, with epidermal blistering and severe pain. Deep partial-thickness injuries involve a greater dermal damage that results in fewer skin appendages, leading to delayed healing with pronounced scarring. Full-thickness injuries are characterized by the complete destruction of epithelial-regenerative components. Full-thickness injuries heal by contraction, with epithelialization from only the edge of the wound, leading to cosmetic and functional defects. All full-thickness skin wounds that are more than 1 cm in diameter require skin grafting as they cannot epithelialize on their own and may lead to extensive scarring, limited joint mobility, and severe cosmetic deformities.1,2
In the United States alone, more than 100 million acute wounds including surgical incisions, trauma, and burns are reported annually.3 The primary goals of the treatment of such wounds are rapid wound closure and a functional and aesthetically satisfactory scar.4
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