'Spray On Skin' Leaves Burned Boy Scar-Free

'Spray On Skin' Leaves Burned Boy Scar-Free

12:24pm UK, Sunday February 19, 2012

Becky Johnson, Sky News reporter


A two-year-old boy has recovered from severe burns thanks to pioneering surgery.

Zed Merrick, from Ulceby in Lincolnshire, suffered second degree burns on his chest and stomach four months ago after knocking over a cup of tea.

Surgeons at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield treated the burns by spraying his own healthy skin cells onto the affected area.

His mum, Nicky Merrick, told Sky News: "I thought he was going to have scarring for the rest of his life and to see him now with his chest almost completely clear is just fantastic. It's so amazing to see him so happy."

"I was so surprised to find out about this procedure they can do now. We were given no guarantees about whether it would work but we were willing to try it. The alternative is skin grafts which I believe can be quite traumatic.

"I feel so privileged that we were able to get this treatment for our little boy."
Toddler Zed Merrick

The treatment has left Zed virtually without scarring



The treatment is known as ReCell Spray-On Skin.



A surgeon removes a sample of healthy skin around the size and thickness of a postage stamp from near the area to be treated.

That is placed in a processing unit where growing skin cells are suspended in liquid.

Damaged skin is then removed and the liquid is sprayed on.

The cells in the spray quickly multiply so new skin develops within a week.

Experts say a 2cm-square skin sample is enough to treat an area the size of a piece of A4 paper.

Zed's operation was paid for by the NHS. The cost of the treatment is around £5,000 per patient.

Surgeon Jeremy Rawlins, who performed the operation, said: "There is an upfront cost associated with using this innovative technology. However, when we've treated a patient in this way the patient is healed - end of story.

"Whereas with other treatments the patient may require much further and on-going treatments in the form of skin grafts and scar revisions.

"So whilst there is that upfront cost we've actually saved an awful lot of money in the long run."

Doctors are currently investigating further uses for the technique within surgery to reduce scarring.