A qualitative histological assessment of various storage conditions on short term preservation of human split skin grafts

• Published in: British journal of plastic surgery 2000-06, Vol.53 (4), p.331-336
• Main Authors: Sterne, Guy D., Titley, O. Garth, Christie, John L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cryopreservation - methods; Dermatology; Evaluation Studies as Topic; histological changes; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; Organ Preservation - methods; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Skin; Skin graft; Skin plastic surgery; Skin Transplantation - methods; storage; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Temperature; Tissue Survival - physiology
• ISSN: 0007-1226; 1465-3087
• DOI: 10.1054/bjps.1999.3279

This paper provides a qualitative description of the histological appearances and changes occurring in human split skin grafts stored at 4°C in various configurations over a 4-week period. During the storage time, changes were seen in all layers of the epidermis and dermis. The most notable early features were nuclear and cellular swelling and pleomorphism. After 7 days nuclear and cellular shrinkage, halo formation and pyknosis became evident. The most worrying histological feature was the development of dermo-epidermal blebs. These were evident by day 7 and progressed to cleavage of, and ultimately complete separation of, the epidermis from the dermis. A comparison of these features in human split skin grafts stored as sheets or meshed 11/2:1, stored either rolled or flat, at either strictly or roughly 4°C revealed differences. We conclude that the viability of stored skin is improved if it is stored at a uniform 4°C as rolled sheets.