The Virgen del Rocío Hospital in Seville has become the first facility in Spain to implement the use of artificial human skin for treating major burns. This innovative therapy, approved by the Spanish Medicines Agency in June, has already had a significant impact on patients like Fran Fernández, who was critically injured in an explosion seven years ago.
Fran’s remarkable recovery, thanks to multiple surgeries and skin grafts, highlights the potential of this new treatment. Surgeons at the hospital believe that using artificial skin obtained through tissue engineering can speed up the healing process, reduce the risk of infections, and improve patients’ quality of life.
The tailored nature of the artificial skin ensures compatibility and integration, leading to a decrease in the need for additional grafts and a shorter recovery time. The skin is produced at the Cell Production and Tissue Engineering Unit of the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, following years of research led by Professor Antonio Campos at the University of Granada.
So far, over 12 square meters of artificial human skin have been produced for 18 patients at the Burns Unit in Seville, with successful results. This therapy is most beneficial for patients with extensive burns, typically covering 60% to 90% of their body surface in adults, or over 30% in pediatric cases.
The implementation of artificial human skin at Virgen del Rocío Hospital marks a significant advancement in burn treatment in Spain, offering hope to patients like Fran and improving outcomes for those with severe burns.
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