Use of Biodegradable Polyurathane Wound Matrix in Chronic Lower Extremity Wounds; A Pilot Study

Use of a new, novel bioabsorbable polyurethane dressing to heal chronic lower extremity wounds has been hypothesized as a new paradigm in the wound care space.  This novel BTM (bioabsorbable tissue matrix) technology which has been widely used in cardiovascular, plastics and general surgery is now available for use in the chronic lower extremity and acute care patient.  This pilot series of five patients with recalcitrant non-healing, non-progressive lower extremity wounds of varying etiologies will be demonstrated with positive results.  This new foam technology uses a unique matrix for organized healing, allowing for cells and blood vessels to integrate and to allow for new tissue deposition.  The foam has been designed to specifically heal the wound in functional cellular units as smaller wounds.  This technology takes a macro-wound environment and converts the healing paradigm to a smaller micro-sized wound environment.  The resultant neodermis is then allowed to be a more robust environment for re-epithelialization.

Five patients with various wounds of wide range etiologies had the research product applied weekly for a period of 4 weeks.  Wounds were cleansed with normal saline, measured and evaulated for bacterial levels with a fluorescent wound imaging device.  Debridement was performed via sharp surgical with removal of all fluorescent bacteria and non-viable tissue.  The evaluation product was applied per manufacturer instructions directly to the wound surface and covered with appropriate secondary dressings.  Plantar foot wounds were off-loaded per physician choice.

The series of five patients and their resultant wounds showed significant percent area reduction of wound size over the period of four weeks with application of the BTM.  The average reduction was approximately 60% with increased reduction of depth of wounds noted.

Because of the nature of this novel synthetic BTM, the resultant neodermis that is formed during the healing process allows for more rapid closure of wounds.

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References (if applicable): 1. Sen CK, et al. Human Skin Wounds: A Major and Snowballing Threat to Public Health and the Economy. Wound Repair Regen. Nov-Dec 2009
2. Greenwood JE at al. Experience with a synthetic bilayer Biodegradable Temporising Matrix in significant burn injury. Burns Open. January 2018
3. Greenwood JE et al. Reconstruction of Extensive Calvarial Exposure After Major Burn Injury in 2 Stages Using BTM. Eplasty. 17, May 2016
4. Vlad, LC et al. “Early Experience using a Biodegrable Temporizing Matrix for Reconstruction of Chronic Lower Exremity Wounds”, Presented at Diabetic Limb Salvage, Feb 2019.