Advancements in Wound Care with Spray-on Skin Treatment
Dr Andrew Rice, DPM, FACFAS, Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
Staff Physician, Livingston Health Care
Throughout my career in surgery, I’ve had the privilege of working on some of the most complex and challenging cases involving burns, wounds, and infections of the lower extremity. One of the most transformative technologies I’ve encountered is autologous spray-on skin transplantation—a technique that’s not only innovative but deeply personal in its approach to healing.
At Livingston Health Care, we now offer this cutting-edge treatment, and I couldn’t be more excited about the impact it’s having on our patients. The process begins with harvesting a small section of the patient’s own skin—just 1cm by 1cm. From that tiny sample, we’re able to generate a sprayable suspension of skin cells that can be applied directly to wounds. It’s a remarkable way to accelerate healing while minimizing trauma to the donor site.
This technique is especially effective for acute partial-thickness thermal burns in adults. When paired with meshed autografts, it also shows great promise in treating full-thickness burns in both pediatric and adult patients. But its applications go far beyond burns. We’re using it to treat full-thickness skin injuries caused by traumatic avulsion, degloving, and surgical excision following necrotizing soft tissue infections or skin cancer removal. For patients 15 and older, it’s proving to be a game-changer.
My involvement with this technology began during my time as Co-Director of the Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance, where I served as co-principal investigator in its development at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson. That experience gave me a deep understanding of the science behind it, and more importantly, the potential it holds for improving lives.
What makes this approach so powerful is its reliance on the body’s own regenerative capabilities. We’re not introducing foreign materials or relying solely on synthetic grafts—we’re helping the body heal itself. The results speak for themselves: faster recovery, reduced infection risk, and improved cosmetic outcomes.
At Livingston Health Care, I work closely with a multidisciplinary team that includes general surgeons, vascular specialists, internal medicine, and infectious disease experts. This collaborative model ensures that every patient receives comprehensive, coordinated care. Limb preservation isn’t just about saving tissue—it’s about restoring function, dignity, and quality of life.
Autologous spray-on skin transplantation is more than a surgical technique—it’s a philosophy of care. It reflects our belief that healing should be as natural and personalized as possible. I’m proud to bring this technology to our community and to be part of a team that’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in wound care.
As we continue to refine and expand its use, I believe autologous treatment will become a cornerstone of modern surgical practice. For now, I’m honored to help lead that charge and witness firsthand the incredible resilience of the human body—and the people we serve.
As research continues and access expands, autologous therapies like spray-on skin transplantation will likely become standard practice in wound care. For now, they stand as a testament to the power of science, collaboration, and the human body’s remarkable ability to heal itself.