Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
xenograft
Pronunciation: ZEE-noh-graft
Skin graft obtained from an animal donor, typically porcine, used for temporary wound coverage.
Full Definition
A biological dressing consisting of skin tissue harvested from animals, most commonly pigs, used as temporary coverage for burn wounds. Xenografts provide immediate wound protection, reduce fluid loss, and decrease pain while serving as a bridge to definitive treatment. They are rejected more quickly than allografts but offer advantages in availability and reduced risk of disease transmission compared to human donor tissue.
Usage
Usage note: Often used interchangeably with heterograft, though xenograft is more precise.
In Context
- "Xenograft application provided immediate coverage for the extensive burn areas until surgical intervention." — Treatment plan
- "The discharge summary noted successful xenograft use as a temporary measure during the acute phase." — Discharge summary
Also known as
porcine graft
pig skin graft
Contrasted with
autograft
allograft
Don't confuse with
heterograft
allograft