The Meek micrograft technique for burns; review on its outcomes: Searching for the superior skin grafting technique.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Autologous split thickness skin grafting is the standard-of-care for the majority of deep dermal and full thickness burns: Meshed grafting is most commonly used. Patients with extensive burn injuries have limited donor site availability. Meek micrografting is a well-known technique to enable larger expansions. A review was conducted on the outcomes of the Meek micrograft technique.

METHOD:

A database search in PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library was conducted from the first Meek micrografting report in 1958 until 2021, including terms 'burns', 'micrografting' and/or 'Meek'. Original papers reporting outcomes of Meek micrografting were included.

RESULTS:

1529 papers were identified and eventually 15 articles were included, the majority classified as poor quality according to Chambers criteria. 310 patients with 56% mean TBSA were described. Weighted averages were calculated for 'graft take' 82 ± 7%, 'time to wound closure' 53 ± 20 days and 'length of hospital stay' 61 ± 31 days. Scar quality was minimally described and often poorly assessed. Limited data were available on outcomes 'donor site size', 'number of operations', 'cost effectiveness' and 'bacterial load/wound infection rate'.

CONCLUSION:

Overall poor study quality and the specific lack of data on scar quality, made it impossible to draw conclusions on the outcomes of Meek micrografting. A randomized controlled trial is required to further investigate the performance of the Meek micrograft technique.

• Authors: Danielle Rijpma, Karel Claes, Henk Hoeksema, Ignace de Decker, Jozef Verbelen, Stan Monstrey, Anouk Pijpe, Paul van Zuijlen, Annebeth Meij-de Vries
• Journal: Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries (Burns) Vol. 48 Issue 6 Pg. 1287-1300 (09 2022) ISSN: 1879-1409 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 35718572 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd and International Society of Burns Injuries. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Burns (surgery)
• Cicatrix (surgery)
• Humans
• Skin
• Skin Transplantation (methods)
• Transplantation, Autologous (methods)