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Technical
IVT
heterograft
Pronunciation: HET-er-oh-graft
Skin graft from a different species, typically porcine, used as temporary biological coverage for large burns.
Full Definition
A heterograft is a skin graft harvested from a different species, most commonly from pigs, used as temporary biological coverage for extensive burn wounds. Heterografts provide excellent temporary wound coverage, pain relief, and infection control while permanent coverage options are prepared. They are eventually rejected by the immune system but serve as a biological bridge in the management of large burns where insufficient autograft donor sites are available.
Usage
Usage note: While synonymous with xenograft, 'heterograft' is the preferred term in many burn centers.
In Context
- "Heterograft coverage was applied to the dorsal trunk while awaiting donor site healing for autograft harvest." — Operative report
- "The use of porcine heterografts provided excellent temporary coverage for the 60% TBSA burn." — Case documentation
Also known as
xenograft
porcine graft
Contrasted with
autograft
allograft
Don't confuse with
xenograft
biosynthetic graft