In an effort to extent the use of porcine xenografts on burn wounds after early necrectomy

studies were conducted on 30 consecutive burned patients admitted in our hospital and 5 patients seen in consultative in 1975-1984. Burn areas covered 20.5 to 94 per cent of TBSA

and full thickness skin loss accounted for 2 to 82 per cent. Totally 45 graftings were carried out. Areas covered with porcine xenografts in one operation ranged 5-40% of TBSA.Of the 45 graftings

only one failed with prulent accumulation beneath xenograft. There were four fatalities in the series

but only one was due to wound sepsis related to xenografting.The following improvements were made to ensure successful grafting. ( 1 ) In most cases

xenografts and autografts were applied in same operation

( 2 ) If possible

one-staged necrectomy was adopted

( 3) It was recommeded that topical chemotherapy or subeschar lysis with genta-imycin be applied preoperatively to prevent wound infection

( 4 ) Porcine skin were prepared just prior to application to ensure high quality

(5)0.5-0.6mm split-thickness sheets of porcine skin were adopted.Our results show that in case of shortage of cadavar donors

porcine skin can serve as a good substitute