Revisiting self-prepared fresh frozen xenograft, and factors leading to mortality in a severely burned patient

Abstract

A 64-year-old man was admitted to our Burn Unit on 10 December 2017 with deep full-thickness burns to both lower legs, and burns to approximately 34% of total body surface area. During the course of his treatment we required either allograft or xenograft, but none was available. We prepared fresh frozen skin according to previously accepted methods. We also used chlorhexidine and 70% alcohol to soak the xenograft. The xenograft was dressed with Acticoat, which assisted in stabilising the patient, but we chose to remove it on day 3 after the operation. Despite our best efforts to save the patient he died, and a summary is presented of the factors leading to his death.