The state of hydration in the stratum corneum after a cultured epithelium graft: A clinical study

From 1985, we have been successfully using cultured epithelium (CE) to treat many patients with burns, burn scars, tattoos and dermatologic diseases. In this regard, since a previous study has indicated that the state of hydration in the stratum corneum plays an important role in determining the skin texture, we have clinically measured the state of hydration in the stratum corneum after CE grafting. Fifty patients who underwent CE grafting comprised the subjects of this study. Using a skin surface hydrometer developed by Tagami et al, a water sorption-desorption test was conducted of the skin regions that follow: 1 the CE-grafted skin; 2 the normal skin adjacent to the graft; and, 3 burn scars before the application of a CE graft. Results revealed a significant difference in the water-holding capacity (WHC) between burn scar tissue and the CE-grafted skin (P<0.01). In contrast, no significant difference was noted in the WHC between normal skin and CE-grafted skin. Based on these findings it has been concluded that stratum corneum functioning can be improved in burn scar patients by replacing their scar tissue with a CE graft.