The use of recombinant human erythropoietin and cultured epithelial autografts in a Jehovah's Witness with a major thermal injury

Abstract

Haemostatic debridement, recombinant-human erythropoietin and cultured epithelial autografts have been used successfully in a Jehovah's Witness with a major burn injury. Tourniquet ischaemia complemented by a topical haemostatic agent minimized excisional blood loss, while recombinant-human erythropoietin accelerated erythropoiesis, thereby correcting postburn anaemia. Cultured epithelial autografts provided coverage of the granulating wounds without creating donor sites.