List of a few commercially available skin substitutes and their properties

Sl no.Skin substituteSourceCharacteristicsAdvantagesLimitationsRef.
1Alloderm SelectTM RTMHuman tissue matrixAcellular dermal and basement membrane substituteIntact basement membrane with appropriate dermal porosityNot guaranteed to be free of all pathogens, high cost, long-term evaluation of carcinogenic or mutagenic potential is pending[15–17]
2Dermagraft®Cryopreserved human fibroblasts seeded on bioabsorbable meshDermal substitute used for the treatment of diabetic woundsTreat full-thickness diabetic foot ulcers in patients who have an adequate blood supplyAbsence of immune, vascular cells. Not useful for infected wounds[15]
3Glyaderm®NaOH treated & glycerol preserved human cadaver skinAcellular dermis is used to reconstruct full-thickness wounds arising from burns and injuriesCost-effective, eliminate dermal antigenic structuresIt is a two-step procedure, where Glyaderm application is followed by split-thickness autograft procedure[18, 19]
4IntegraTMDermal substitute consisting of bovine tendon collagen with chondroitin 6 sulfate with silicone surface layerAcute deep partial-thickness, full-thickness burns, burn reconstruction applicationsAvailability and shelf storage, promote vascularization in poor recipient sitesCollection of hematomas and seromas is difficult. Lack of intrinsic antibacterial property[15, 20–25]
5MatriDerm®Bovine source. Collagen-elastin hydrolysate, gamma-treatedSoft tissue defects, full thickness or deep dermal burns, and chronic woundsBetter cosmetic appearance, superior resilience, standardized optionLack of more scientific evidence[23, 26]
6ApligrafTMBi-layered, prepared from neonatal foreskin-derived keratinocytes and fibroblasts with bovine type I collagenFull-thickness diabetic woundsViable method of burn wound treatments, better cosmetic results, shelf-life of 5 days at room temperatureExpensive, short shelf life, instability at the wound bed[27, 28]
7Biobrane®Inner layer of nylon mesh and an outer layer of silasticBurn wounds (partial-thickness burns in children)Experience less pain and requirements of pain medications, reduces time required for wound healingPermanent scarring in partial-thickness scald wounds[28]
8Hyalomatrix®Bilayer hyaluronan base scaffold with autologous fibroblast, and outer silicone layer presentBurn wounds and chronic woundsDelivers hyaluronan to the wound bedLess rigidity than some collagen-based products, risks separation with tissues under tension[28, 29]
9Transcyte® (or Dermagraft-TC)Human fibroblast-derived, polymer membrane and newborn human fibroblast cells cultured on a porcine collagen coated nylon meshLicensed by the FDA for use in burnsSpontaneous separation occurs which indicates wound bed healing. Biocompatible, protects the burn wound surface from environmental insultsHigh cost, multiple applications required[30–32]
10Dermagraft®Similar to Transcyte® but it lacks the silicone layer. Contains viable fibroblastsUsed in diabetic foot ulcersStimulate wound healing in chronic woundsShould be used along with standard wound care regimens, useful in patients who have adequate blood supply to the involved foot[33, 34]