The Boston-based hospital collaborated with XenoTherapeutics to create the tissue graft, known as xenoskin. The graft was genetically modified to remove a gene specific to pigs.
Massachusetts General surgeons transplanted the experimental skin graft and a cadaveric skin graft to a patient’s wound in a recent clinical trial. They removed the grafts five days later.
“Both skin grafts were adherent to the underlying wound bed and appeared indistinguishable from each other,” Massachusetts General said in a news release. “No adverse events were further observed or reported.”
Human skin grafts are costly and often in short supply. The xenografts could offer a cheaper, more widely available option for treating second- and third-degree burns.
More articles on clinical leadership and infection control:
NICU interventions boost infant vaccination rate to 93%
End may be in sight for Congo’s Ebola outbreak
Unattended ER patient dies at Pennsylvania hospital
