CEA
Pronunciation: C-E-A
Also written as: CEA — Cultured Epithelial Autograft
Laboratory-grown sheets of patient's own skin cells used for covering large burn areas.
Full Definition
Cultured epithelial autografts (CEA) are laboratory-grown skin cells derived from a small biopsy of the patient's own unburned skin. The keratinocytes are grown in tissue culture over several weeks to create thin sheets of epithelial cells that can be transplanted to cover large burn wounds. This technique is particularly valuable for patients with massive burns who have limited donor sites. However, CEA grafts are fragile, expensive to produce, and have variable take rates compared to traditional skin grafts.
Usage
Usage note: Always use all capitals when abbreviated; distinguish from other CEA meanings in medical contexts.
In Context
- "CEA was applied to 30% of the patient's body surface area in staged procedures." — Surgical summary
- "The CEA showed 70% take rate at two weeks post-application." — Follow-up assessment