The use of cell culture methods in Plastic Surgery opened a new horizon in the research of cellular mechanisms of proliferation and biosynthesis functions. Several types of cells have been investigated in the cutaneous compartment. Keratinocytes and fibroblasts have been studied aiming the possibility of developing biomaterial for skin substitution. The present study describes the standardization for the development of fibroblast primary culture, its utilization in experiments and its storage.

In the study of Plastic Surgery, cell culture may be used at experimental level in researches concerning biosynthesis functions of skin cells such as fibroblasts, keratinocytes, adipocytes, chondrocytes and osteocytes. The present study reports an experimental model for estimation of collagen in cell cultures using chromogenic precipitation reaction with an especific dye (Sirius Red).

In Plastic Surgery, cell culture represents the perspective of studying cellular mechanisms that guide the healing process of several tissues. Some steps of the healing process depend on physical factors as the tissular partial pressure of O2. In cell culture, it is possible to submit cells to hypoxic enviroment. The present study reports an alternative method at low cost for the establishment of hypoxic environment in cell culture flasks.