Could a Newer Poly-Lactic Acid Matrix Support Wound Healing Earlier in the Treatment Process?

Brock A. Liden, DPM, DABPM, FAPWCA studied a new poly-lactic acid matrix (PLAM) that he says supports wound healing at all levels of the wound healing cascade, presenting his findings in a poster at SAWC Fall. He used a synthetic PLAM guided wound closure system on a variety of highly complex wounds, such as diabetic wounds, venous ulcers, and surgical wounds. Each case had not undergone significant healing after four weeks of standard treatment. In-office debridement plus application of PLAM, affixing with a silicone non-adherent dressing and appropriate external dressing then took place with weekly repetition and monitoring.

The author noted progression of the wound bed quality, along with enhanced quality of life and patient satisfaction. He found that using PLAM early in the plan of care, in his observation, allowed for faster wound bed conversion and epithelialization, along with enhancement of quality of life and patient satisfaction. In his poster, he discusses the PLAM’s bimodal foam membrane and unique lactate molecule orchestration as features supporting dermal proliferation and recommends continued study of this treatment option.

Dr. Liden believes that the future of cellular and tissue-based products is moving towards the synthetic products. 

“I have started utilizing the SupraSDRM (PolyMedics Innovations) technology, based on the lactate molecule which has a dual function,” he says. “It adjusts the pH to around 4 so it is bacteriostatic for 3 days. It also upregulates VEGF to support vascular ingrowth.”

“There are new technologies that have multimodal approaches to address the issues within the patient and wound bed,” shares Dr. Liden. “We have to be open minded and look for new/better answers for the complex wounds we treat.”

Dr. Liden discloses he is a consultant for PolyMedics InnovationsI, Bone Support, Arch, Orpyx, and Extremity Medical.