Human skin allografts as a useful adjunct in the treatment of purpura fulminans

Objective

The aim of this report is to discuss the role of human skin allografts in surgical coverage procedures for patients with purpura fulminans.

Method

We describe cases of purpura fulminans in three adults and one infant treated at our burns unit between October 2006 and January 2008.

Results

The application of cryopreserved human skin allografts allowed us to obtain immediate wound closure after necrosis excision and enabled our team to subsequently perform autografts on favourable graft recipient sites.

Conclusion

Recourse to human skin allografts must be considered a pertinent therapeutic option in patients with purpura fulminans.

Conflict of interest

None.