Surgical wounds present a critical clinical challenge often requiring advanced therapeutic strategies to accelerate healing and enhance tissue regeneration. Herein, we engineered novel dually cross-linked hydrogel system incorporating an Apigenin-β-cyclodextrin (API-βCD) inclusion complex for enhanced wound therapy. First, the API-βCD inclusion complex was prepared and characterized comprehensively through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), molecular docking and phase solubility studies. Then, dually cross-linked hydrogel matrix embedded with the API-βCD complex was synthesized and assessed for comprehensive structural, mechanical and physiochemical properties. In vitro release, ex vivo permeation, cell viability, antibacterial activity, wound closure and anti-inflammatory cells analyses of the API-βCD hydrogel were performed. Results confirmed the formation of successful inclusion complex. Phase solubility study demonstrated 66.8 ~ fold increase in the aqueous solubility of API. FTIR analysis confirmed successful crosslinking within the hydrogel matrix. Moreover, API-βCD hydrogel exhibited enhanced mechanical properties, porous architecture and optimal swelling and degradation behaviors. In vitro and ex vivo studies demonstrated sustained release, minimal permeation and enhanced disposition (57%) of API in skin layers, higher cell viability, and augmented antibacterial potential. Additionally, API-βCD hydrogel demonstrated significantly accelerated wound healing with 97% wound closure and noticeable downregulation of inflammatory parameters, such as TNF-α and IL-1β. These results concluded that API-βCD hydrogel may improve the solubility, dissolution of API and holds promising potential for regenerative wound management.

Implant‐supported and implant‐borne prostheses have become a common alternative for treating total or partial edentulous patients with good long‐term results. Prompt and effective healing of surgical wounds will contribute to this purpose. The objective of this case report was to evaluate by clinical observation the healing of oral postsurgical wounds following dental implant placement with or without the use of oral gel with active oxygen (BlueM). Two patients underwent dental implant placement surgery by conventional open techniques to evaluate the healing of postsurgical wounds subjected to flaps, both with immediate loading and provisionalization. In the first one, a full‐arch surgery with four implants and bone reduction was performed. In the second, two mandibular single implants were placed in Sites 46 and 36 with immediate loading and provisionalization. The active oxygen gel product (BlueM) was placed in the tissues, only on the right side, before closing the flap and after suturing. Patients were instructed to place the product only on the right side three times a day, and no product or topical medication on the left side. Observational comparisons were made by the early wound healing index (EHI) at 7, 15, and 30 days after surgery in the complete arch and at 3, 7, 15, and 30 days in the single cases. Within the limitations of these clinical cases and based solely on clinical observations, the use of active oxygen oral gel (BlueM) may enhance the healing of surgical wounds following dental implant placement, and literature supports its antiseptic and bactericidal properties. The oral gel with active oxygen (BlueM) may represent a reliable adjunctive approach for the postoperative care of oral wounds following dental implant placement. In these clinical cases, enhanced wound healing was observed; however, further controlled clinical studies are required to substantiate these findings.

Surgical wounds healing by secondary intention occur if a surgical wound is not closed or dehisces following primary closure. Surgical wounds healing by secondary intention are common and adversely affect patients' quality of life. Treatment is often prolonged, complex and expensive. Negative pressure wound therapy applies a controlled vacuum to the wound and is increasingly used to promote surgical wound healing by secondary intention despite limited rigorous evidence for the clinical and cost-effectiveness of negative pressure wound therapy to augment surgical wound healing by secondary intention. Assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of negative pressure wound therapy versus usual care (no negative pressure wound therapy) in treating surgical wounds healing by secondary intention. A pragmatic, two-arm, parallel-group, randomised controlled superiority trial. Twenty-eight UK NHS Trusts randomised adult patients with a surgical wounds healing by secondary intention to receive negative pressure wound therapy or usual care (no negative pressure wound therapy). The planned sample size was 696 participants. Participants were followed up for 12 months via weekly telephone contact to collect the primary outcome (time to healing: full cover with no scab in days since randomisation) and clinical secondary outcomes: wound healing, surgical site infection, pain, hospital re-admission, current treatment and reasons for treatment change (if applicable), reoperation, amputation, antibiotic use, death. Patient-reported outcomes (pain, health-related quality of life and resource use) were collected by postal questionnaire at 3, 6 and 12 months. Validation of the Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire, a patient-reported measure of surgical site infection, was also undertaken. A cost-effectiveness decision model considering all available evidence, and a within-trial cost-utility analysis, was also undertaken to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of negative pressure wound therapy against usual care. Neither participants nor the investigators were blind to treatment allocation. Between 15 May 2019 and 13 January 2023, 686 participants were recruited, randomised and included in the analysis (negative pressure wound therapy n = 349; usual care n = 337). Most participants had a single surgical wound healing by secondary intention (n = 622, 90.7%), located on the foot (n = 551, 80.3%) or leg (n = 69, 10.1%) arising following vascular surgery (n = 619, 90.2%). Most participants had comorbidities; diabetes (n = 549, 80.0%), cardiovascular disease (n = 446, 65.0%) and/or peripheral vascular disease (n = 349, 50.9%). Median time to healing was 187 days (negative pressure wound therapy) versus 195 days (usual care), with no evidence that negative pressure wound therapy reduced the time to wound healing compared to usual care (hazard ratio 1.08, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.32; p = 0.47). Odds of re-admission, reoperation, surgical site infection and antibiotic use were slightly higher, and odds of amputation or death slightly lower for negative pressure wound therapy participants. These results were not clinically or statistically significant. Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire, quality of life and wound pain scores were not statistically significantly different at any time point. Serious adverse events were rare (nine negative pressure wound therapy vs. five usual-care participants). Both cost-effectiveness analyses concluded that negative pressure wound therapy generates higher costs and marginally higher quality-adjusted life-years than usual care, although findings were statistically insignificant. The probability of negative pressure wound therapy being cost-effective was under the recommended National Institute for Health and Care Excellence cost-effectiveness thresholds. The Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire was acceptable to participants, had low levels of missing data and demonstrated good levels of sensitivity and specificity in the detection of surgical site infection in surgical wounds healing by secondary intention. The trial included a high proportion of diabetic participants with foot wounds, which may affect study generalisability. Negative pressure wound therapy use for 'wound management', common in certain surgical specialties, was not assessed in this study. Negative pressure wound therapy is not clinically or cost-effective in augmenting healing in patients with surgical wounds healing by secondary intention, particularly those with comorbidities. Evaluation of methods to treat or prevent infection of surgical wounds healing by secondary intention and evaluation of negative pressure wound therapy for 'wound management' are recommended. This synopsis presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme as award number 17/42/94.

Electrospun PVA-PCL/HA nanofiber scaffolds containing mupirocin for surgical wound healing in Sprague Dawley rats.

BackgroundIn the setting of curative treatment of breast carcinoma, radiotherapy is usually administered after surgery (adjuvant radiotherapy).We intend to evaluate the impact of delivering radiation therapy prior to surgical intervention in the treatment of these patients.MethodsThe NEO-HYPORT trial is designed as a randomised, controlled, parallel group, open-label, single-centre, superiority trial comparing neoadjuvant and adjuvant radiotherapy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The primary endpoint is 3-year disease-free survival. A secondary randomisation will evaluate two hypofractionated radiotherapy schedules (40 Gy / 15 fractions / 3 weeks vs 26 Gy / 5 fractions / 1 week) in the two settings.DiscussionConventionally radiation therapy is delivered following surgery as adjuvant radiation therapy. The reasons for the same have been manifold including the hypothesis that surgical wound healing following radiation therapy may be delayed. Various biological arguments and outcomes from the utilisation of neoadjuvant radiation in other tumour sites suggest that neoadjuvant radiation may provide superior disease control as compared to adjuvant radiation therapy. Emerging evidence on wound healing safety following radiotherapy to the breast is also reported. The NEO-HYPORT trial will provide high-quality evidence about the efficacy of neoadjuvant radiotherapy and establish the safety of ultra hypofractionated radiotherapy in this setting.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) represents a major clinical challenge for oral and maxillofacial surgery departments as well as dental practices. With increasing life expectancy and the more frequent use of medications associated with osteonecrosis, the incidence of MRONJ continues to rise. To date, there are no uniform treatment standards with scientifically proven effectiveness for this condition. To evaluate the impact of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on the outcomes of MRONJ treatment and to identify factors that may influence the effectiveness of PRF therapy, we conducted a comparative prospective study including 22 patients divided into two groups: patients treated with PRF and patients treated without PRF. PRF was prepared according to the PRF Duo Quattro Process protocol for PRF (Nice, France). The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07464678). The following parameters were assessed: age, smoking status, gender, lesion location, body mass index (BMI), C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, pain intensity, presence or absence of fistulas, soft tissue healing and radiological findings. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively at 14 days, 6 weeks, and 6 months. The study demonstrated a reduction in pain after surgery among patients treated with PRF. In addition, the use of PRF resulted in improved healing outcomes in patients with elevated CRP. Higher BMI was associated with poorer therapeutic response to PRF. Improvements in soft tissue healing and disease stage were observed in the PRF group; however, these differences did not reach statistical significance. All findings should be interpreted with caution due to the limited sample size. There is still no standardized treatment for MRONJ. The use of platelet-rich fibrin as an inexpensive and safe adjunctive therapy may provide clinical benefits for patients, particularly through a significant reduction in pain. Further large-scale, multicenter studies are required to confirm these findings.

Immunotherapy has become a mainstream part of cancer care, but the immune system is also critical for wound healing. Dysregulating immunity to treat cancer raises concerns about potential iatrogenic effects on postoperative recovery. Despite its growing use, immunotherapy's impact on surgical wound healing remains poorly characterized. In this study, we investigate the relationship between immunotherapy and wound healing in patients after surgery for spinal metastases. Patients 18 years and older who underwent surgery for spinal metastases from 2012 to 2024 at a comprehensive cancer center were retrospectively evaluated. Demographics, comorbidities, tumor histology, and therapy regimens were catalogued. Instances of "perioperative" (within 12 months before or 3 months after surgery) immunotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and chemotherapy were noted. The primary outcome was wound complications, stratified by level of management: antibiotics with routine local care, nonroutine local care, or revisions surgery. 367 patients were included (mean age 60.5 ± 12.1 years) where the most common primary pathologies were lung (18.0%) and prostate (16.1%). Perioperative immunotherapy was administered to 54/367 (14.7%) patients, predominantly immune checkpoint inhibitors (94.4%). Patients who received immunotherapy had mostly similar complication rates (7.4%) than those who did not (12.8%; P = .262). Furthermore, the time it took until wound issues developed did not differ significantly (immunotherapy 0.8 ± 0.6 vs nonimmunotherapy 1.2 ± 0.7 months; P = .306). On multivariate analysis, patients with sacral location for surgery (odds ratio 5.84, 95% CI 1.35-25.30, P = .018) had increased odds of wound complications. Perioperative immunotherapy use did not elevate the odds of wound complications (odds ratio 0.40, 95% CI 0.09-1.69, P = .211). Perioperative radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy were not associated with an elevated risk of complications. Perioperative immunotherapy use for spinal metastases seems clinically safe without major wound healing implications. These findings suggest immunotherapy can be safely administered to patients during surgical planning for spinal metastases.

The aim was to critically analyze the effects of photobiomodulation on recovery of the donor area after free gingival graft (FGG) surgery. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science with date of access up to 7 April 2025, structured according to the PICO strategy: patients ≥ 18 years undergoing removal of FGGs from the palatal region (P), intervention with photobiomodulation at the donor site (I), compared with natural healing (C), evaluating wound healing as the primary and pain as the secondary outcome (O). A total of 668 records were identified and 8 randomized clinical trials, in which 284 participants were included. In outcomes, clinical healing parameters and patient-reported pain were analyzed, in which the majority of studies demonstrated that photobiomodulation positively influenced epithelialization, reduction in wound area, and tissue color during the first two postoperative weeks. However, the effect on pain control was inconsistent among studies, with only two showing statistically significant reductions. The studies included demonstrated clinical and methodologic heterogeneity due to different laser parameters, and their designs made statistical pooling of data unfeasible for a meta-analysis. Photobiomodulation appears to be a promising adjunctive therapy to accelerate palatal wound healing after FGG, particularly in the early postoperative period. Nevertheless, the clinical benefit in pain management remains uncertain. Future well-designed studies with standardized protocols are needed to strengthen contemporary evidence. (Quintessence Int 2026;57:230-241; doi: 10.3290/j.qi.b6762754).

Dexmedetomidine (Dex) is known for extending the time of action and enhancing the analgesic efficacy of local anesthetics. However, its effects on surgical wound healing have not been comprehensively investigated. This study aims to thoroughly examine the effects of subcutaneously administered Dex on wound healing in rats. 32 rats in total were randomly distributed into four groups: Control, 3ml Saline (Group I), 5μg/kg Dex (Group II), 30μg/kg Dex (Group III), and 60μg/kg Dex (Group IV). After the procedure, samples were collected from the surgical wound site on the 7th day. Several wound-healing-related parameters were measured, including arginase, collagen type I, hydroxyproline, Xaa-Pro dipeptidase/prolidase, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Additionally, the immunoreactivity of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins was assessed to evaluate connective tissue cell proliferation and blood vessel development in the dermis. Hydroxyproline (ng/ml) levels were significantly higher in Groups II, III, and IV compared to Group I. Statistically significant differences were also observed between the groups for Arginase (ng/ml), Collagen Type I (ng/ml), TGF-β1 (ng/L), and bFGF (ng/L) values. PCNA immunoreactivity was significantly higher in the 30μg/kg group than in other groups. VEGF immunoreactivity was significantly higher in the 5μg/kg group. The subcutaneous administration of Dex did not negatively impact wound healing in rats. Histological and biochemical findings showed that doses of 5 and 30μg/kg promoted the fastest wound closure and supported homogeneous tissue formation. These results suggest that dexmedetomidine has therapeutic potential in wound healing.

Perioperative Biologic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs, Risks of Infections, and Wound Complications in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Undergoing Elective Hand Surgery.

Intravenous dexamethasone has been used clinically to reduce surgical pain. Our study aims to investigate the analgesic efficacy, optimal dosage, mechanisms, and effects on surgical wound healing of dexamethasone in an animal postoperative pain model. We first converted 2 commonly used doses of dexamethasone in humans (8 mg and 16 mg) to their rat equivalent doses (0.24 mg and 0.47 mg). Rats then received hind paw incision with either saline, 0.24 mg or 0.47 mg dexamethasone injections. Subsequently, we compared degrees of mechanical and thermal allodynia by the Von Frey Test and the Thermal Place Preference Test. We then performed molecular tests and H&E staining of the hind paw sample to further determine dexamethasone’s effect locally. Blood glucose and body weight were also measured to delineate its systemic effect. Both 0.24 mg (p < 0.01) and 0.47 mg (p < 0.05) dexamethasone reduced postoperative mechanical and thermal pain in rats on postoperative day (POD) 1. NLRP3, pro Caspase 1, Caspase 1, pro IL-1β and IL-1β levels were significantly lower in both dexamethasone groups when compared to control (p < 0.05). Dexamethasone reduced the M1:M2 macrophage ratio at the incision site. To investigate dexamethasone’s effect on wound healing, bulk RNA sequencing was conducted, which revealed significant downregulation in mKi67. Immunofluorescence showed a dose-related decrease in Ki67 positive keratinocytes in the skin (p < 0.05). H&E staining demonstrated deceleration in wound healing in both doses of dexamethasone on POD1 (p < 0.05), but only 0.47 mg dexamethasone delayed wound healing on POD3 (p < 0.05). There were no gross differences in wound morphology between rats receiving saline, 0.24 mg, or 0.47 mg dexamethasone on POD7 and POD14. As for the systemic effects, there was no significant difference in blood glucose levels between the 3 groups (p > 0.05). There was significant weight loss in rats receiving dexamethasone (p < 0.05). Although dexamethasone was effective in pain control, using a moderate dose was non-inferior to a high dose. However, use of higher doses was associated with slower wound healing. Hence, our results in an animal model of acute postoperative pain suggest that using a moderate dexamethasone dose (8 mg) in humans may provide a better balance between analgesic efficacy and effects on wound healing.

A common complication of post-surgical procedures is surgical site infections (SSIs), and wound healing can be gravely affected by these SSIs. Perfumes are known for their use in personal hygiene; however, their role in surgical wound healing and SSIs has not been thoroughly studied. The present study explores the post-operative usage of perfumes in the context of SSIs and wound healing. This was a case-control study conducted in Hail City's Tertiary Care Hospital in Saudi Arabia for 9 months (April-December). The participants were adults undergoing clean elective plastic surgeries. Sixty-three patients were divided into case (n = 31) and control (n = 32) groups; the former used perfumes continuously post-operation and the latter refrained from them. All patients were observed and followed for three follow-up periods. Data on their demography, characteristics of wounds, patterns of perfume use (Arabic, Western and mixed), and infection outcomes were collected and statistically analysed using SPSS v22 at the significance level of < 0.05. In the present study, 49.21% of the total participants kept using perfume after their surgeries. The abdomen was the most common operative site in the control (16, 32%) and case (15, 48.38%) groups. The majority of the patients in the control (15, 46.87%) and case (21, 67.74%) groups had wound size > 15 cm (p > 0.05). Amongst 31 patients in the case group, most of the patients used mixed (Arabic and Western) perfumes (12, 38.7%, p = 0.65). The frequency of perfume application varied, as most participants (11, 35.48%) reported using perfume twice daily (p = 0.49). Meanwhile, 22 (71%) used 2-4 sprays per application (p < 0.05). During the first follow-up, SSIs were only reported amongst patients in a case group (2, 6.45%, p = 0.14). During the second follow-up, SSIs were observed in 3 (9.67%) and 2 (6.25%) patients in the case and control groups, respectively (p = 0.61). Meanwhile, in the third follow-up, the SSI pattern was changed, and patients in the control group developed SSIs (p = 0.10). Furthermore, a non-significant (p > 0.05) association was observed amongst the risk factors, including age, comorbidities, perfume types, operation type, wound site and wound size with infection rates. SSIs are not significantly associated with perfume usage after surgeries, even though the rates were higher amongst the non-perfume users. Future research can explore the biochemical analyses of different perfume types and their psychophysiological effects on wound healing.

Surgical wound complications remain a major source of postoperative morbidity, particularly in the setting of tissue hypoxia, ischemia, and impaired perfusion. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has emerged as an adjunctive modality aimed at enhancing tissue oxygen delivery and optimizing wound healing dynamics across diverse surgical contexts. A structured narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE to identify clinical studies, systematic reviews, and translational investigations evaluating the role of HBOT in surgical wound healing and tissue salvage. The search included articles published from January 2000 to February 2026. Evidence was synthesized descriptively, focusing on mechanistic pathways, clinical indications, reconstructive applications, and reported outcomes. HBOT exerts therapeutic effects through multiple physiological mechanisms, including enhanced plasma-dissolved oxygen delivery, angiogenesis stimulation, fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, and immunomodulation. Clinical evidence supports its use in chronic ischemic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, burn injuries, and radiation-induced tissue damage, demonstrating improved wound closure rates and reduced infection risk. In reconstructive surgery, HBOT has shown benefit in compromised grafts, ischemic flaps, traumatic soft-tissue injuries, and breast reconstruction salvage. Reported outcomes include enhanced tissue viability, reduced necrosis progression, improved graft integration, and decreased amputation rates in high-risk populations. HBOT represents a biologically active adjunct capable of enhancing surgical wound healing and tissue salvage through multifactorial regenerative mechanisms. As its applications continue to expand into reconstructive and aesthetic surgical domains, HBOT is positioned to play an increasingly integrative role within multidisciplinary perioperative care and complex wound management strategies.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and prognosis of an innovative concealed incision approach combined with microsurgical techniques in the excisional treatment of preauricular fistula. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 87 paediatric patients with preauricular fistula admitted between January 2020 and May 2025. Patients were categorised into a study group （18 cases, innovative concealed cosmetic incision combined with microsurgical technique） and a control group （69 cases, conventional preauricular fusiform incision with direct visualisation）. Both groups underwent six-month postoperative follow-up. Surgical outcomes,pain levels,wound healing,aesthetic degree, complications and short-term prognosis were compared between groups. Results: Intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the study group than the control group （P<0.05）, while operative duration showed no statistically significant difference （P>0.05）. Comparison of the pain scores（FLACC） at 4 hours and 24 hours postoperatively showed that the study group scored lower than the control group at both time points （P < 0.05）. Comparison of aesthetic degree of incision healing revealed significantly higher SBSES scores in the study group versus the control group （P<0.05）. Long-term follow-up MAPS scores for aesthetic degree of incision healing were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group （P<0.05）. The overall complication rate showed no statistically significant difference between groups （P>0.05）.No recurrence was observed in either group during postoperative follow-up. Conclusion:The innovative concealed cosmetic incision approach combined with microsurgical techniques not only achieves thorough excision of fistula tissue but also offers an aesthetically concealed incision. Microscopic dissection of the fistula allows clear anatomical visualization without necessitating en bloc removal of preauricular tissue, creating satisfactory wound healing and a safe, reliable procedure. Compared with the traditional preauricular fusiform incision, the innovative concealed cosmetic incision combined with microsurgical techniques offers superior aesthetic outcomes in terms of healing appearance. This incision method is readily mastered by surgeons while meeting the aesthetic expectations of paediatric patients and their families, which is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Risk factors for delayed wound delayed healing of surgical wounds: A retrospective analysis

Primary closure of traumatic musculoskeletal soft-tissue wounds is often complicated by soft-tissue edema or compromised skin integrity. Tenuous primary skin closure is associated with an increased incidence of major wound complications. The aim of this retrospective case series was to evaluate soft-tissue healing outcomes following incorporation of a synthetic electrospun fiber matrix (SEFM) to provide soft-tissue reinforcement of primary surgical closure of musculoskeletal injuries. A retrospective medical record review of patients treated at a single trauma site for musculoskeletal injuries requiring surgical intervention was conducted following local institutional review board exemption. Subjects who underwent orthopedic reconstruction with subdermal SEFM placement during primary closure were included. Subject data were collected from surgical intervention with SEFM until the final postoperative follow-up with the surgeon. Data regarding unplanned reoperation, infection, major dehiscence, and time to complete incisional healing were collected and analyzed. Nineteen subjects were identified and included in the analysis. The most common injury cause was open fractures (n = 11), with most injuries occurring in the lower extremity (n = 14). The most common reason for SEFM incorporation during primary closure was to offload tension at the suture line (n = 10). All injuries achieved successful surgical wound healing. The rate of complications requiring reoperation was 1 of 19 patients. Subdermal SEFM incorporation during primary closure resulted in complete soft tissue healing and low rates of major complications. This pilot study indicated that SEFM may be used to achieve primary closure and avoid advanced reconstructive procedures.

ABSTRACTBackground and AimsWound healing is a crucial aspect of clinical outcomes following surgical procedures. Various physiological, environmental, and lifestyle factors impact healing time and quality.MethodsThis review is based on the latest experimental findings pertaining to surgical wound management and healing, based on a PubMed search of experiments from the last 5 years. Topics of interest were infection control, nutrition, radiation‐induced skin injury (RSI), and closed‐incisional negative pressure wound therapy (CiNPWT). The study mainly assesses wound healing by primary intention and focuses on easily implemented therapies.Results403 articles were screened regarding infection prevention with 336 excluded based on title and preview of content. 67 abstracts were further reviewed which yielded 32 articles for analysis. Overall, povidone‐iodine is shown to improve the rate of wound healing and helps minimize complications such as infections or wound dehiscence while creating a sterile field due to its antimicrobial properties. It remains a standard of comparison for other anti‐infectives. Nutritional factors such as veganism may impair surgical wound healing, whereas maintaining appropriate albumin levels may be protective. Employment of nutritional screenings may improve overall outcomes post‐operatively, and oral probiotics improve soft tissue healing after incision, in at least one study. Pycnogenol® and Centellicum® may have applications to improve surgical site healing, since supplementation demonstrates improved perfusion and other favorable metrics. Management of RSI is a field of much exploration, with many topicals shown effective. Recently, hydrogels and even injection of stromal vascular factor show promising results. CiNPWT is found to improve overall surgical outcomes in diverse wounds, and sponge width is an important consideration.ConclusionConsideration of the findings discussed, along with their potential combinations and applications, may serve to improve surgical wound healing.

High-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) allows non-invasive visualization of skin microarchitecture, offering quantitative assessment of dermal composition and vascularity, but its systematic use to track temporal changes in postoperative wound healing is still limited. This study aimed to describe and validate HFUS morphologic and vascular features corresponding to the biological phases of cutaneous surgical wound healing. A total of 730 patients who underwent surgical excision of skin lesions were evaluated at different postoperative intervals using high- and ultra-high-frequency ultrasound (48-70 MHz). Dermal thickness, echogenicity and vascularity were analysed with B-mode and colour Doppler imaging through quantitative and semi-quantitative methods and reproducibility was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Cohen's κ statistics. Cross-sectional analysis demonstrated a progressive structural and vascular evolution consistent with canonical healing phases: dermal thickness decreased from 2.45 ± 0.38 mm at T0 to 1.58 ± 0.21 mm at T4, while echogenicity increased from 0.5 [0-1] to 2.5 [2, 3], reflecting collagen compaction and maturation. Vascularity peaked at T2 (2.2 ± 0.5) and declined to 0.8 ± 0.3 by T4, paralleling the regression of angiogenesis. Measurement reproducibility was excellent (ICC = 0.91; κ = 0.82). HFUS morphologic patterns closely mirrored the biological sequence from inflammatory oedema through granulation and fibroplasia to collagen remodelling, providing real-time invivo correlates of tissue repair. These findings support HFUS as a reliable, quantitative and reproducible tool for monitoring postoperative wound healing and as a potential imaging biomarker framework for early detection of abnormal scar evolution.

Near infrared (NIR) therapy is increasingly used to enhance postoperative wound healing, yet clinical trial results remain inconsistent. To evaluate the effectiveness of NIR therapy on postoperative wound healing and identify treatment parameters associated with optimal outcomes: This systematic review and meta-analysis registered at PROSPERO (CRD420251163415) assessed evidence on comparing NIR therapy (630-1100 nm) with standard care or placebo on healing of surgical-induced wounds. A multilevel random-effects meta-analysis of standardised mean differences (SMDs) was conducted. Moderator analyses examined the wavelength, fluence, session number, application technique and anatomical site. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB 2.0 and certainty of evidence was rated with GRADE. Fifty-six trials (N = 4920) were included for systematic review and 35 trials contributed 69 outcomes to meta-analysis. NIR significantly improved wound healing (0.78, [0.46-1.09], p < 0.01) and reduced postoperative pain (0.71, [0.24-1.17], p < 0.01), but heterogeneity was high and effects varied across studies. Optimal outcomes were associated with short NIR wavelengths (700-850 nm), 4-10 sessions and non-contact application. Effects on swelling, scarring and inflammatory markers were inconsistent. Overall, certainty of evidence was very low. This first systematic review and meta-analysis indicates that NIR therapy demonstrates promise for enhancing postoperative healing and reducing pain, though effects vary by protocols.

Objectives: The aim was to assess their effectiveness in terms of surgical access, efficiency, wound healing and cosmetic outcomes. Methods: This prospective observational study included patients with histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity undergoing neck dissection at the Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Gwalior. Patients were divided randomly into Group A (Macfee incision) and Group B (Reversed Hockey Stick incision). The primary parameter was flap viability, while secondary outcomes included surgical time, exposure, scar appearance and postoperative healing. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 18.5, with p&lt;0.05 considered significant. Results: Of the 37 patients enrolled, 13 were in Group A and 24 in Group B. No significant differences were found in age, gender or BMI. Group B showed better intraoperative exposure (p=0.048), while Group A had shorter flap raising and closure times. Flap viability was 100% in both groups. Scar outcomes slightly favoured the Macfee incision. Postoperative complications were minimal, with Group A having a 100% complication-free rate and Group B reporting minor issues in 8.3% of cases. Conclusion: Both incisions are effective, offering excellent flap viability and cosmetic outcomes. The reversed hockey stick incision improves access, while the Macfee incision may enhance healing and cosmesis.