Comparison of tissue-engineered and artificial dermis grafts after removal of basal cell carcinoma on face - A pilot study

Background Planning reconstruction for facial defects should include the safest and least-invasive methods, with a goal of achieving optimal functional and cosmetic outcomes. Objective To compare tissue-engineered dermis grafts with artificial dermis grafts after removal of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) on the face. Materials and Methods A tissue-engineered dermis composed of autologous cultured dermal fibroblasts seeded on a hyaluronic acid sheet was applied to 16 patients. Grafting of hyaluronic acid sheets that did not contain fibroblasts (artificial dermis group) was performed in 13 patients. Healing time, scar condition, and patient satisfaction were compared. Results The wounds of the tissue-engineered dermis group reepithelialized after 31.4 ± 5.3 days and those of the artificial dermis group after 34.2 ± 4.9 days. The tissue-engineered dermis graft was superior in scar quality. In particular, statistically significant differences were detected in the height and contracture of scars, although there were no significant differences in terms of scar texture or color match. Patient satisfaction in the tissue-engineered dermis graft group (8.3 ± 1.0) was also statistically superior to that in the artificial dermis group (6.9 ± 1.4). Conclusion The tissue-engineered dermis graft is superior to the artificial dermis graft for covering defects after removal of BCC on the face.