A retrospective study followed by a clinical examination was carried out 2-5 years postburn to analyse the long-term results of the treatment of scalds in children (n = 45) with glycerol-preserved allografts. In 21 patients (47 per cent), the wounds healed spontaneously. In 24 patients, remaining defects were closed by a split skin autograft in the third week postburn. Healing without scar formation was seen in 24 patients (53 per cent), 9 patients (21 per cent) showed moderate, and 12 patients (26 per cent) severe scar formation. Transplanted areas showed hyperpigmentation, and donor sites depigmentation. The cosmetic results require further improvement, and classification of present and new methods of treatment. Clinical research is limited by the number of observations and the great variation in wounds. A well-standardized experimental animal model is, therefore, essential.