Abstract: Objective    To explore the application of an adipose-derived stem cell （ADSC）aggregate-extracellular matrix （ECM） composite patch in full-thickness skin repair of the external auditory meatus of rabbits.    Methods    New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10 rabbits each: a blank group, a control group, and an experimental group. A full-thickness skin defect of the inner wall of the external auditory meatus was created at the ventral root of the ear. In the control group and experimental group, the ECM scaffold and the ADSC aggregate-ECM scaffold were laid between the gelatin sponge and the edge of the wound surface using the in-plant method to ensure that the scaffold completely covered the wound surface before the wound was sutured. The blank group underwent no treatment. After postoperative 14 days , the wound healing rate and the positive ratio of bacterial colonies in the wound tissues were compared among the groups. Immunohistochemical examination was used to detect the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen（ Ki-67）in the wound tissues of each group, and Western blot was used to detect the expression of the inflammatory factors interleukin 1β（IL-1β） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）in the wound tissues of each group.    Results    The wound healing rate and the proportion of Ki-67–positive cells were significantly higher in the experimental group and control group than those in the blank group, whereas the positive ratio of bacterial colonies and the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in the wound tissue were significantly lower.  Compared with the control group, the wound healing rate and proportion of Ki-67-positive cells were significantly higher whereas the positive ratio of bacterial colonies and the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in the wound tissue were significantly lower in the experimental group. These differences were also statistically significant （P< 0.05）.    Conclusions    The ADSC aggregate-ECM composite patch can effectively promote the repair of full-thickness skin defects of the inner wall of the external auditory meatus of rabbits.

Key words: Adipose-derived stem cell aggregates; ,  Extracellular matrix; ,  Full-thickness skin repair, Tissue engineering