Transplantation of Cultured Autologous Epithelium After Meningococcal Septicaemia in a 4-Year-Old with 35% Skin Loss

Abstract

A 4-year-old girl with scattered full-thickness skin and soft tissue wounds mainly on the extremities and corresponding to roughly 35% of the total body surface area was treated with early excision and transplantation of cultured autologous epidermal grafts. The transplantation was accomplished in one stage, three weeks after admission. The epidermal cells were cultured in Stockholm, Sweden and the time of transportation of the grafts to Reykjavik, Iceland (seven hours) did not seem to affect the quality, as 85% had taken one week after transplantation. The patient healed completely without further transplantation, but a few local skin flaps were needed to cover exposed articular surfaces. The patient was discharged from hospital with stable grafts five weeks after transplantation.

Key Words:

• transplantation
• cultured autologous epithelium
• septic skin necrosis
• meningococcal septicemia
• transportation