| Abstract [eng] |
Background: injuries, burns, and surgical interventions often result in skin defects requiring reconstructive surgery. Traditional methods, such as skin grafts or flaps, are not always available due to limited donor sites or the patient's critical condition. With the increasing availability of regenerative skin substitutes on the market, it is important to evaluate their potential role while selecting the most appropriate reconstructive approach. Aim: to assess the effectiveness and application possibilities of regenerative skin substitutes in modern reconstructive surgery based on a literature review. Methods: a literature review was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Results: regenerative skin substitutes (Integra, Matriderm, Novosorb, Pelnac, and Nevelia) have been successfully applied in both acute (burns, trauma, necrotizing fasciitis) and chronic (ulcers, scars, tumors) skin defect treatment. These products reduce the need for donor sites, offer favorable aesthetic and functional outcomes, and show resistance to infections (particularly the fully synthetic substitute Novosorb). Their indications include extensive body surface injuries and cases where autologous tissue use is not feasible. Compared to traditional methods, the use of regenerative skin substitutes often enables shorter and, in some cases, more cost-effective procedures. Conclusions: as the advantages and clinical efficacy of regenerative skin substitutes become more evident, their indications continue to expand. In clinical settings where artificial skin is widely used, it is becoming an essential part of reconstructive surgery – either as an alternative or as a complementary method to conventional techniques. |
