Clinical results of cultured epithelial grafting delived by bio-skin bank system—the Nagoya experiences

Cultured epithelium have been widely understood to be useful materials for reconstruction of various kinds of skin defects. In the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery, many clinical reports have demonstrated the utility of cultured epithelium which have been successfully cultured. Moreover, several authors have reported the application of cultured epithelial allografting successfully. Recently, some researches have also discussed about the clinical utility of cultured oral mucosal epithelium for grafting in maxillofacial surgery. In some cases, we utilized cultured grafts that had been previously frozen and maintained at −196°C for a long time. Our department has been investigated a new therapeutic modality, in which autologous and allogenic cultured epithelium are preserved in a bank system and auto- and allografted to skin or mucosal defects. Then, `Bio Skin Bankʹ which is organized to fabricate and cultured epithelium has provided them to one burn unit, four plastic surgery departments and one oral surgery department in medical schools since January, 1995. The availability of standardized quality cultured epithelium to different hospitals led us to draw some general conclusions on the applicability of this therapeutic approach. From our studies, the cultured epithelial grafting is useful method for reconstruction of any kinds of skin and mucosal defects. Also, the bio-skin bank is suitable system for fabrication and transportation of the cultured epithelium.