Comparison of Modified Meek Technique with Standard Mesh Method in Patients with Third Degree Burns

BACKGROUND: Severe burn injuries require prompt wound coverage to prevent complications such as infection, electrolyte imbalances, and organ failure. Skin grafting is a common approach, but limited donor sites pose challenges in extensive burns. The Meek technique offers high expansion capacity and is especially effective in poorly vascularized wounds. Most previous studies have been cross-sectional, with few directly comparing Meek and mesh grafts. This study aims to compare clinical outcomes of both techniques on different anatomical sites within the same patients. METHODS: This case-control study enrolled patients with third-degree burns admitted to St. Fatima Hospital in Tehran. Each patient received both mesh and modified Meek grafts on different body areas following surgical debridement. Key outcomes including graft take, re-epithelialization time, hospital stay, and complications were recorded and analyzed using SPSS. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. RESULTS: Among 20 patients with third-degree burns, the modified Meek technique showed significantly faster re-epithelialization (2.8 vs. 5.0 months, p=0.01), higher epithelialization within one month (55% vs. 15%, p=0.03), shorter operative time (p=0.036), and greater expansion ratio (p=0.04) compared to the mesh method. Graft rejection and infection rates were lower in the Meek group but not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The modified Meek technique resulted in faster re-epithelialization, shorter operative time, and greater expansion compared to the mesh method. These advantages support its use as a preferred grafting option in extensive burn cases.