Integra, dermal matrix

There are two basic roles for carbohydrates in the field of skin replacement. These relate to the bilaminar nature of the skin with the dermal matrix and the cellular epidermis. The matrix is a biomechanical construct and can be made. As already described, there are collagenous and noncollagenous components in the human dermis. There is and has been a considerable amount of research to explore the roles of collagen and GAG polymers in matrix production. Indeed, this is a feature of research and reviews spanning the last two decades. The most successful commercial product is Integra, which was approved for clinical use in 1996 both in the United States and Europe. 

Dermal TE using PU scaffolds/membranes requires the precise reconstitution of the skin bilayer. In an ovine full thickness wound model, which tested a PU (biodegradable temporizing matrix BTM-2) [94], the Integra dermal regeneration template was compared to BTM-2. It was found that by 29 days all wound sites had healed comparably [94]. 

Greenwood JE, Dearman BL. Comparison of a sealed, polymer foam biodegradable temporising matrix against Integra dermal regeneration template in a porcine wonnd model. J Bum Care Res January-February 2012 33(1) 163-73. 

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