Abstract: Objective To explore the application of cryopreservation-replantation technique of autologous skin in the treatment of degloving injuries of upper limbs. Methods The clinical data of 10 patients with upper limb degloving injuries during January 2016 and June 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, including 6 males and 4 females, averaged 46(ranging from 22 to 77)years. The injuries were caused by traffic accidents in 4 cases, and by machine extrusion in 6 cases. The location of injuries involved unilateral forearm in 6 cases and unilateral hand in 4 cases. The skins stayed in vitro for 2 to 14(average 5.8)hours and were cryopreserved for 8 to 38(average 24.8)days. The size of cryopreserved skin was 3 cm×5 cm to 20 cm×24 cm. The degloved skins could not be transplanted immediately due to severe contamination, tissue contusion and local bone tendon exposure. After cryopreservation and debridement, they were transplanted in situ or ectopically. Results Of the 10 cases, 1 case developed necrosis due to infection, others survived 50%~100%, 3 received a second skin grafting and recovered well. During the 6-month follow-up, the replanted skin was soft and resilient, the sensation recovered at different levels, but the skin showed different degrees of depigmentation, and there was no hair growth. Conclusion Cryopreservation-replantation technique of autologous skin provides time for wound preparation. The survival rate of replanted skin is high, and the resilience and function are satisfying. Besides, this technique can utilize the degloved skins efficiently, decrease the donor site area, relieve patients’ pain and reduce financial burden.

Key words: Skin freezing, Cryopreservation, Skin replantation, Degloving injury