Use of Autologous Cultured Epidermis to treat severe burns has been covered by insurance since January 1, 2009.
What is a thermal burn?
A thermal burn is one caused by an external heat source.
Human skin consists of 3 layers. Starting with the most superficial layer downward, they are the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. Deep burns like "second-degree burns", which extend to the lower dermis, and "third-degree burns", which also damage the subcutaneous tissue, are difficult to heal naturally and require surgery. Conventional skin grafts, which use healthy skin from another part of the patient's body, are one option, but if the burn is deep and extensive, there will not be enough healthy skin left, and treatment will be difficult. "Autologous Cultured Epidermis", which creates tissue to transplant by multiplying the patient's own cells, makes it possible to treat even deep, extensive burns.
In this therapy, used to treat patients with deep burns that cover at least 30% of their body surface area, "Autologous Cultured Epidermis" cultured from the patient's healthy skin is transplanted to cover the injured area after the surrounding skin has been prepared to accept the transplant.
The use and commercialization of the medicinal products developed by Japan Tissue Engineering Co., Ltd. that are referred to on this website are approved only in Japan. A potential use and commercialization in other regions will be subject to the prior granting of a marketing authorization in the given territory and compliance with applicable laws.