No / Larval biotherapy is a debridement tool used in wound management. The mechanism of action involves degradation of eschar by serine proteases including chymotrypsin within the alimentary fluids of first instar Lucilia sericata. With the rationale of obviating some limitations of biotherapy, including cost, complexity of use, and patient reticence, the present study describes a mobile hydrogel formulation containing freeze-dried recombinant L. sericata chymotrypsin designed for topical application. Neither freeze-drying nor formulation into the hydrogel significantly attenuated the measured activity of released enzyme compared to fresh-frozen enzyme in aqueous solution. Gel electrophoresis confirmed qualitatively that the chymotrypsin/hydrogel formulation both with and without supplementary urea at 10% w/v degraded human chronic wound eschar ex vivo. Mindful that the hallmark of intractability of chronic wounds is aberrant biochemistry, the pH activity profile for the enzyme/hydrogel formulation was compared with exudate pH in chronic wounds of mixed aetiology in a cohort of 48 hospital in-patients. Five patients' wounds were acidic, however, the remainder were predominantly alkaline and coincided with the pH optimum for the insect enzyme. Thus, a recombinant L. sericata chymotrypsin and hydrogel formulation could represent a pragmatic alternative to larval therapy for the management of chronic wounds.

O surgimento das matrizes de regeneração dérmica nas duas últimas décadas permitiu um grande avanço no tratamento tanto das queimaduras agudas como das sequelas. No entanto, ainda há carência de informações sobre a relação entre os resultados clínicos e o que ocorre no tecido com cada tipo de matriz. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar prospectivamente os aspectos clínicos quanto à qualidade de pele, escala de Vancouver e POSAS, função e retração da área tratada e os aspectos histológicos na microscopia de luz e eletrônica, com o uso de duas matrizes de regeneração dérmica, ambas de colágeno bovino, uma de duas camadas, recoberta com lâmina de silicone e outra sem. Vinte e quatro pacientes, sorteados 12 em cada grupo, tiveram suas retrações cicatriciais secundárias à queimaduras tratadas em duas cirurgias, a primeira de liberação da retração e colocação da matriz e a segunda, colocação do auto enxerto de pele; em ambas as cirurgias foi utilizado o curativo de pressão negativa. As avaliações da escala de Vancouver e medidas da retração da área foram realizadas no pré-operatório, 1, 3, 6 e 12 meses e a escala de POSAS e avaliação funcional no pré-operatório e aos 12 meses. As biópsias foram colhidas no pré-operatório, no dia da colocação do enxerto de pele, 12 dias, 2, 6 e 12 meses após o enxerto. A avaliação clínica mostrou retração de todas as áreas tratadas, melhora da qualidade da pele e funcional em todos os pacientes. A matriz com silicone, mostrou superioridade dos resultados quanto a qualidade da pele, função e menor retração da área tratada. A análise histológica mostrou o crescimento de tecido conjuntivo denso idêntico ao tecido cicatricial original, sem diferenças entre as matrizes e que não se assemelha à derme normal. Também não foi observada diferença no diâmetro das fibrilas de colágeno do tecido neoformado, a pele normal e a cicatriz / The advent of dermal regenerate templates has fostered major advances in the treatment of acute burns and their sequelae, in the last two decades. Both data on morphological aspects of the newly-formed tissue, and clinical trials comparing different templates, are still lacking. The goal of this study was to prospectively analyze the outcome of patients treated with two of the existing templates, followed by thin skin autograft. They are both made of bovine collagen, one includes a superficial silicone layer. Surgery was performed on patients with impaired mobility resulting from burn sequelae (n = 12 per template). Negative pressure therapy was applied post-surgically; patients were monitored for 12 months. Data on scar skin quality (Vancouver and POSAS evaluation scales), rate of joint mobility recovery, and graft contraction were recorded; as well as morphological analyses at light microscopical and ultrastructural levels. Improvement in mobility and skin quality were demonstrated along with graft contraction, in all patients. The silicone-coupled template showed the best performance in all aspects. There was sub epidermal growth of dense connective tissue, indistinguishable from the original scars in both templates. The formation of tissue resembling normal dermis was not detected in any of the cases. Likewise, the ultrastructural analysis showed the same architecture of the connective tissue among the template scars and the original scar. No difference was detected when the collagen fibril diameters of the normal skin and of the scars (original and of the two templates) were compared

O surgimento das matrizes de regeneração dérmica nas duas últimas décadas permitiu um grande avanço no tratamento tanto das queimaduras agudas como das sequelas. No entanto, ainda há carência de informações sobre a relação entre os resultados clínicos e o que ocorre no tecido com cada tipo de matriz. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar prospectivamente os aspectos clínicos quanto à qualidade de pele, escala de Vancouver e POSAS, função e retração da área tratada e os aspectos histológicos na microscopia de luz e eletrônica, com o uso de duas matrizes de regeneração dérmica, ambas de colágeno bovino, uma de duas camadas, recoberta com lâmina de silicone e outra sem. Vinte e quatro pacientes, sorteados 12 em cada grupo, tiveram suas retrações cicatriciais secundárias à queimaduras tratadas em duas cirurgias, a primeira de liberação da retração e colocação da matriz e a segunda, colocação do auto enxerto de pele; em ambas as cirurgias foi utilizado o curativo de pressão negativa. As avaliações da escala de Vancouver e medidas da retração da área foram realizadas no pré-operatório, 1, 3, 6 e 12 meses e a escala de POSAS e avaliação funcional no pré-operatório e aos 12 meses. As biópsias foram colhidas no pré-operatório, no dia da colocação do enxerto de pele, 12 dias, 2, 6 e 12 meses após o enxerto. A avaliação clínica mostrou retração de todas as áreas tratadas, melhora da qualidade da pele e funcional em todos os pacientes. A matriz com silicone, mostrou superioridade dos resultados quanto a qualidade da pele, função e menor retração da área tratada. A análise histológica mostrou o crescimento de tecido conjuntivo denso idêntico ao tecido cicatricial original, sem diferenças entre as matrizes e que não se assemelha à derme normal. Também não foi observada diferença no diâmetro das fibrilas de colágeno do tecido neoformado, a pele normal e a cicatriz / The advent of dermal regenerate templates has fostered major advances in the treatment of acute burns and their sequelae, in the last two decades. Both data on morphological aspects of the newly-formed tissue, and clinical trials comparing different templates, are still lacking. The goal of this study was to prospectively analyze the outcome of patients treated with two of the existing templates, followed by thin skin autograft. They are both made of bovine collagen, one includes a superficial silicone layer. Surgery was performed on patients with impaired mobility resulting from burn sequelae (n = 12 per template). Negative pressure therapy was applied post-surgically; patients were monitored for 12 months. Data on scar skin quality (Vancouver and POSAS evaluation scales), rate of joint mobility recovery, and graft contraction were recorded; as well as morphological analyses at light microscopical and ultrastructural levels. Improvement in mobility and skin quality were demonstrated along with graft contraction, in all patients. The silicone-coupled template showed the best performance in all aspects. There was sub epidermal growth of dense connective tissue, indistinguishable from the original scars in both templates. The formation of tissue resembling normal dermis was not detected in any of the cases. Likewise, the ultrastructural analysis showed the same architecture of the connective tissue among the template scars and the original scar. No difference was detected when the collagen fibril diameters of the normal skin and of the scars (original and of the two templates) were compared

Baharestani M, Amjad I, Bookout K, Fleck T, Gabriel A, Kaufman D, McCord SS, Moores DC, Olutoye OO, Salazar JD, Song DH, Teich S, Gupta S. V.A.C. ® Therapy in the management of paediatric wounds: clinical review and experience. ABSTRACT Usage of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in the management of acute and chronic wounds has grown exponentially in the past decade. Hundreds of studies have been published regarding outcomes and methods of therapy used for adult wounds. This treatment is increasingly being used to manage difficult-to-treat paediatric wounds arising from congenital defects, trauma, infection, tumour, burns, pressure ulceration and postsurgical complications in children, although relatively few studies have been aimed at this population. Given the anatomical and physiological differences between adults and children, a multidisciplinary expert advisory panel was convened to determine appropriate use of NPWT with reticulated open cell foam (NPWT/ROCF) as delivered by Vacuum Assisted Closure® (V.A.C.® Therapy, KCI Licensing, Inc., San Antonio, TX) for the treatment of paediatric wounds. The primary objectives of the expert advisory panel were to exchange state-of-practice information on paediatric wound care, review the published data regarding the use of NPWT/ROCF in paediatric wounds, evaluate the strength of the existing data and establish guidelines on best practices with NPWT/ROCF for the paediatric population. The proposed paediatrics-specific clinical practice guidelines are meant to provide practitioners an evidence base from which decisions could be made regarding the safe and efficacious selection of pressure settings, foam type, dressing change frequency and use of interposing contact layer selections. The guidelines reflect the state of knowledge on effective and appropriate wound care at the time of publication. They are the result of consensus reached by expert advisory panel members based on their individual clinical and published experiences related to the use of NPWT/ROCF in treating paediatric wounds. Best practices are described herein for novice and advanced users of NPWT/ROCF. Recommendations by the expert panel may not be appropriate for use in all circumstances. Decisions to adopt any particular recommendation must be made by the collaborating medical team, including the surgeon and wound care specialist based on available resources, individual patient circumstances and experience with the V.A.C.® Therapy System.

<p>  </p> <p>Infections of dermal wounds is a growing burden for the healthcare industry, with a 2017 market exceeding $17.5 USD. As the number of patients with severe infections continues to increase year after year, there is an alarming downward trend in efficacy for traditional antibiotic treatments. In large part, this is due to the increasing development of antibiotic resistance within common bacteria strains. As microbes evolve to protect themselves from previously effective drugs, there is a growing need for new antimicrobial therapies. While alternatives exist in the market, they are largely impaired by non-selective toxicity which can cause further damage to the cells in the wound bed, as is the case with silver and other strong antiseptics, or the need for high energy, specialized equipment, as with cold atmospheric surface treatments. Gaseous ozone is a promising alternative therapy for treating these wound infections. Because ozone is a strong natural oxidant, it exhibits significant antimicrobial properties, and has also been shown to help stimulate natural wound healing in many cases. Herein is presented the design of a portable system for the topical delivery of gaseous ozone as an antimicrobial treatment for infected dermal wounds. This includes the design and characterization of the portable system and a custom ozone application dressing, the characterization of the safety and efficacy of the system using <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> models, and a disposable system for wound infection monitoring. The system utilizes a portable corona discharge generator to produce gaseous ozone from the ambient environment. The ozone gas is delivered through a dressing engineered to have a hydrophobic interface at the wound bed and disperse the ozone gas across the patch surface for more uniform application. The antimicrobial strength and biocompatibility of the system was optimized at varying ozone output levels. Additionally, an adjunct therapy of topical antibiotics was shown to significantly increase the strength of the treatment without leading to greater cytotoxicity. This synergistic effect between ozone and antibiotics was shown to circumvent natural bacterial resistances to antibiotics, which will have a major impact on the wound care industry. This adjunct treatment was then validated on a porcine animal model for safety and pilot results for efficacy testing. Finally, the pH sensor which can be incorporated with use of the ozone therapy enables objective monitoring of wound condition and is able to signal when appropriate infection therapy should begin. As it stands, this portable ozone wound treatment system shows great promise as an alternative therapy to improve the quality of live for millions of patients.</p>

Background and Aims Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has gained a central role in the treatment of deep sternal wound infections (DSWIs) after median thoracotomy. Our study aims at proving the safety of using NPWT with instillation and dwell time (NPWTi-d) in the treatment of DSWI. Methods We retrospectively evaluated the patients who were treated at our institution between March 2018 and November 2021 for DSWI after radical sternectomy using NPWT or NPWTi-d. The NPWTi-d was applied to start the first postoperative day using 75 mmHg negative pressure for 3 h, followed by instillation of sodium hypochlorite <0.08% with a 3-min dwell time. Results The NPWTi-d group showed a shorter length of stay (29.39 ± 12.09 vs. 39.54 ± 17.07 days; p = 0.049), a shorter elapsed time between the debridement and the flap coverage (7.18 ± 4.27 vs. 11.86 ± 7.7 days; p = 0.003) and less operative or nonoperative dressing changes (1.73 ± 1.14 vs. 2.68 ± 56; p < 0.001). The in-hospital mortality was 8.2%, with no significant differences between the two groups (p = 1). Conclusion NPWTi-d can be safely employed in the treatment of DSWI. Further prospective randomized studies need to establish the role of NPWTi-d in the control of infection and biofilm as well as in wound healing.

A terapia de tratamento de feridas por pressão negativa (TPN) não é nova. Ela foi aprovada nos Estados Unidos da América em 1996 e, desde então, tem sido amplamente utilizada em uma grande variedade de ferimentos. Ela tem aplicação no tratamento de feridas agudas e crônicas, e trouxe conforto para pacientes, cuidadores e profissionais da área da Saúde. Uma das indicações desta terapia é no tratamento de feridas decorrentes de trauma. Ela pode ser utilizada como uma \"ponte\" entre o surgimento da lesão inicial e a cirurgia de fechamento definitivo da ferida, naqueles casos em que o fechamento primário não é possível. O grande obstáculo para democratização desse procedimento é o custo. Ele se mantém alto, principalmente nos pacientes que necessitam de um uso prolongado do método. Na tentativa de contornar esse problema, o Hospital Universitário da USP desenvolveu em 2007 uma TPN de baixo custo baseada em uma válvula estabilizadora de pressão (Curavac VX 200®, Ventrix Health Innovation, Brasil) conectada à fonte de vácuo da parede do hospital e a uma cobertura de ferida com gaze estéril selada por filme plástico adesivo. Este estudo comparou essa terapia de baixo custo (grupo USP) com a terapia padrão no Mercado (VAC system®, KCI, San Antonio - Texas) - Grupo VAC em um desenho prospectivo, randomizado, no formato de não inferioridade. Ou seja, o objetivo primário era verificar se o tempo necessário para a ferida estar apta para cirurgia de fechamento definitivo era equivalente nos dois métodos propostos. Foram estudadas, também, a velocidade de crescimento do tecido de granulação e as mudanças na área da ferida, além do custo de cada tratamento. Em relação ao tempo necessário para ferida estar apta para a cirurgia de retalho, o Grupo USP apresentou um resultado de 9,6±4,5 dias. O Grupo VAC apresentou 12,8±8,6 dias. A diferença não foi estatisticamente significante (p=0,379). Em relação ao aumento de tecido de granulação por dia de tratamento, os dois métodos apresentaram resultados semelhantes: USP= 5,79 ± 2,93% e VAC 5,06 ± 5,15% (p=0,408). Em relação à variação de área, os dois grupos apresentaram um aumento: USP 1,13 ±0,80% e VAC 1,12 ± 0,80% (p=0,934). Foi observada uma importante diferença entre os custos do tratamento. O tratamento no Grupo USP custou, em média, R$ 47,89; enquanto o tratamento no grupo VAC, R$ 2.757,40. Conclusão: A terapia USP de tratamento de feridas por pressão negativa não é inferior à terapia VAC system® no tratamento de feridas complexas de origem traumática / Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) was approved by the FDA in 1996 and since then has become widely adopted for a broad range of wounds. NPWT has many indications, both acute and chronic, and has brought great comfort to patients, caregivers, doctors, and nurses. Some authors suggest that NPWT may be used in traumatic wounds when primary closure is not possible after or in between debridements as a bridge to definitive closure. The big real obstacle to this useful procedure is the cost, which remains expensive for prolonged indications, making it unaffordable where these dressings are needed. In 2007 the University of São Paulo developed a low-cost NPWT based in a pressure stabilizer device (Curavac VX 200®, Ventrix Health Innovation, Brazil) connected to the hospital wall-vacuum and a gauzed-sealed dressing. No randomised trial has compared USP Negative Pressure Wound Therapy with the commercial vacuum assisted closure device (VAC system®). Our choice of a non-inferiority trial was based on the expectation that the time necessary for the improvement of the wound bed for patients treated with the USP therapy was no worse than the improvement time for VAC System (primary outcome). The wound bed area variation and granulation tissue growth were also assessed as secondary outcomes. In relation to the time (measured in days) necessary for the wound bed to became ready for the flap surgery, the USP group presented 9,6 ± 4,5 days. The VAC group presented 12,8 ± 8,6 days. The difference was not statistical significant (p=0,379). In relation to granulation tissue increase the two methods of NPWT (USP and VAC) presented very similar results: USP= 5,79( ± 2,93) and VAC 5,06 ( ± 5,15) (p=0,408). Regarding to wound area the both groups presented an increase: USP 1,13 ± 0,80 and VAC 1,12( ± 0,80) p=0,934. We observed an important difference in relation to treatment costs. The USP group treatment cost is about 2% compared with VAC group. Mean Treatment Cost: USP= US$ 15,15; VAC= US$ 872,59. Conclusion: The USP Negative Pressure Wound Therapy was non-inferior to VAC System for the treatment of complex traumatic injuries

A terapia de tratamento de feridas por pressão negativa (TPN) não é nova. Ela foi aprovada nos Estados Unidos da América em 1996 e, desde então, tem sido amplamente utilizada em uma grande variedade de ferimentos. Ela tem aplicação no tratamento de feridas agudas e crônicas, e trouxe conforto para pacientes, cuidadores e profissionais da área da Saúde. Uma das indicações desta terapia é no tratamento de feridas decorrentes de trauma. Ela pode ser utilizada como uma \"ponte\" entre o surgimento da lesão inicial e a cirurgia de fechamento definitivo da ferida, naqueles casos em que o fechamento primário não é possível. O grande obstáculo para democratização desse procedimento é o custo. Ele se mantém alto, principalmente nos pacientes que necessitam de um uso prolongado do método. Na tentativa de contornar esse problema, o Hospital Universitário da USP desenvolveu em 2007 uma TPN de baixo custo baseada em uma válvula estabilizadora de pressão (Curavac VX 200®, Ventrix Health Innovation, Brasil) conectada à fonte de vácuo da parede do hospital e a uma cobertura de ferida com gaze estéril selada por filme plástico adesivo. Este estudo comparou essa terapia de baixo custo (grupo USP) com a terapia padrão no Mercado (VAC system®, KCI, San Antonio - Texas) - Grupo VAC em um desenho prospectivo, randomizado, no formato de não inferioridade. Ou seja, o objetivo primário era verificar se o tempo necessário para a ferida estar apta para cirurgia de fechamento definitivo era equivalente nos dois métodos propostos. Foram estudadas, também, a velocidade de crescimento do tecido de granulação e as mudanças na área da ferida, além do custo de cada tratamento. Em relação ao tempo necessário para ferida estar apta para a cirurgia de retalho, o Grupo USP apresentou um resultado de 9,6±4,5 dias. O Grupo VAC apresentou 12,8±8,6 dias. A diferença não foi estatisticamente significante (p=0,379). Em relação ao aumento de tecido de granulação por dia de tratamento, os dois métodos apresentaram resultados semelhantes: USP= 5,79 ± 2,93% e VAC 5,06 ± 5,15% (p=0,408). Em relação à variação de área, os dois grupos apresentaram um aumento: USP 1,13 ±0,80% e VAC 1,12 ± 0,80% (p=0,934). Foi observada uma importante diferença entre os custos do tratamento. O tratamento no Grupo USP custou, em média, R$ 47,89; enquanto o tratamento no grupo VAC, R$ 2.757,40. Conclusão: A terapia USP de tratamento de feridas por pressão negativa não é inferior à terapia VAC system® no tratamento de feridas complexas de origem traumática / Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) was approved by the FDA in 1996 and since then has become widely adopted for a broad range of wounds. NPWT has many indications, both acute and chronic, and has brought great comfort to patients, caregivers, doctors, and nurses. Some authors suggest that NPWT may be used in traumatic wounds when primary closure is not possible after or in between debridements as a bridge to definitive closure. The big real obstacle to this useful procedure is the cost, which remains expensive for prolonged indications, making it unaffordable where these dressings are needed. In 2007 the University of São Paulo developed a low-cost NPWT based in a pressure stabilizer device (Curavac VX 200®, Ventrix Health Innovation, Brazil) connected to the hospital wall-vacuum and a gauzed-sealed dressing. No randomised trial has compared USP Negative Pressure Wound Therapy with the commercial vacuum assisted closure device (VAC system®). Our choice of a non-inferiority trial was based on the expectation that the time necessary for the improvement of the wound bed for patients treated with the USP therapy was no worse than the improvement time for VAC System (primary outcome). The wound bed area variation and granulation tissue growth were also assessed as secondary outcomes. In relation to the time (measured in days) necessary for the wound bed to became ready for the flap surgery, the USP group presented 9,6 ± 4,5 days. The VAC group presented 12,8 ± 8,6 days. The difference was not statistical significant (p=0,379). In relation to granulation tissue increase the two methods of NPWT (USP and VAC) presented very similar results: USP= 5,79( ± 2,93) and VAC 5,06 ( ± 5,15) (p=0,408). Regarding to wound area the both groups presented an increase: USP 1,13 ± 0,80 and VAC 1,12( ± 0,80) p=0,934. We observed an important difference in relation to treatment costs. The USP group treatment cost is about 2% compared with VAC group. Mean Treatment Cost: USP= US$ 15,15; VAC= US$ 872,59. Conclusion: The USP Negative Pressure Wound Therapy was non-inferior to VAC System for the treatment of complex traumatic injuries

No description available.

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / Objective: Present different flap alternatives when performing microvascular free-flap reconstruction in acute hard-to-heal wounds. Method: A retrospective review of patients whose acute hard-to-heal wounds were treated with microvascular free-flap reconstruction. Data on demographics, wound aetiology, diagnostic, previous treatment, free-flap type, free-flap size, complications and follow up were analysed. Results: A total of 20 patients received microvascular free-flap reconstruction. The median age was 39.5 years. Twenty free-flap reconstructions were performed. These included: 3 cross-leg free flap, 1 cross-leg vascular cable bridge flap, 2 fibula osteocutaneous flap, 6 anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap, 3 thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap, 3 fasciomyocutaneous flap, and 2 femoral artery fasciocutaneous flap. A patient required microvascular anastomosis due to hematoma; the rest did not present complications during their postoperative. Previous treatment included negative pressure wound therapy (12 patients) and surgical debridement with silver hydrogel dressings (8 patients). Conclusion: Hard-to-heal wounds can be unresponsive to traditional wound healing practices or local flaps. They often require free-flap reconstruction, using tissues similar to those compromised. Microvascular techniques can be an effective alternative. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None.