AbstractIntroductionEarly wound coverage remains one of the most essential variables influencing survival of extensively burned patients, especially with a total burned surface area (TBSA) of more than 50%. In patients with limited donor sites, techniques such as e.g. the Meek micrograft procedure or cultured epidermal allografts have proven to be viable methods. In this systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis (MA) we studied the outcomes of different techniques for wound coverage in patients with massive burn injuries ≥50% TBSA within the last 17 years.MethodsAccording to PRISMA guideline the medical databases PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science Medical records were screened in 5 languages from 01/2005 until 01/2022 by three reviewers, independently. Inclusion criteria were prospective or retrospective studies on patients with massive burns of ≥50% TBSA.ResultsAfter a two-stage review process, 33 studies were identified for the SR and MA. Regions of publication were Asia (n=15), North America (n=8), Europe (n=7), Australia (n=3). In total, 1678 patients with a mean age of 31.4 ± 14.2 years were included. The male to female ratio was 2.25 : 1. Mean TBSA was 66,5 ± 12.2%. Methods of wound coverage consisted of Meek micrografts, cultured epithelial autografts and/or allografts. The mean length of stay was 76.5 ± 32.4 days. Initial graft-take was 78,0 ± 15.8%. Grafting techniques did neither substantially differ in the length of stay nor the healing rate.ConclusionsIn patients with massive burn injuries of ≥50% TBSA the length of stay and the healing rates were comparable between Meek micrograft procedure, cultured epithelial allografts and combined techniques.Applicability of Research to PracticeWound coverage by Meek micrograft procedure with expansion of up to 1:10 and a potential combination with cultured epithelial allografts should be considered early in patients with massive burn injury.