Skintegrity: Ethical Choices in Synthetic vs Autologous Grafting.
Clin Dermatol 2026 May 28. [Online ahead of print]

Abstract

The growing use of synthetic skin substitutes versus autologous grafts in dermatologic reconstruction represents a significant development in the field that extends beyond technical surgical considerations into broader questions of medical ethics. Physicians deciding which graft is preferable are increasingly facing ethical dilemmas. They are balancing clinical outcomes, patient preferences, procedural risks, and healthcare costs. Each of these issues is associated with distinct implications concerning patient autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and financial stewardship. Notably, the expanding use of synthetic skin substitutes has also generated increasing ethical concern about financial incentives and conflicts of interest.

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Authors+Show Affiliations

Adler RSUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA. Electronic address: Robert.adler@downstate.edu.
Feig JLDepartment of Dermatology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA; Dermatology Service, Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System - Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Grant-Kels JMDermatology Department, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA; Dermatology Department, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

42214479