| Example | Advantages | Disadvantages | Nursing Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological | |||
| Xenograft | Promotes healing of clean wound; relieves pain; readily available; reduces water and heat loss | Easily digested by wound collagenase; allergic reactions | Overlap edges slightly; trim away when skin underneath has healed |
| Homograft–cadaver skin | Reduces water and heat loss; relieves pain; used with antimicrobial mesh; may be left in place until rejection occurs | May harbor disease | Observe for signs of infection |
| Amnion | Relieves pain; reduces water and heat loss; has bacteriostatic properties | Limited shelf life; requires special preparation for use; may harbor diseases | Change cover dressing q48h; leave on wound until it sloughs |
| Biosynthetic (Temporary) | |||
| Biobrane | Protects from microbial penetration; decreases pain; promotes healing in partial-thickness burn | Not effective for preparing a granulation bed | Must be secured to skin with sutures, closure straps, tape, or staples; wrap with gauze; after 48 hr, check for adherence; once adherence has occurred, may be left open to air; check for signs of infection |
| Biosynthetic (Semipermanent) | |||
| Integra Artificial Skin | Postexcisional treatment of life-threatening full or deep partial-thickness burns when autograft not available | Infection rate lower than autograft | Maintain integrity of covering; 18–20 days before thin autograft applied. Avoid hydrotherapy; observe for infection. |