Wounds Of Different Etiologies Research Articles

Application of Novosorb biodegradable temporising matrix in wounds of different aetiologies: a case series.

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane allograft with spongy layer to significantly improve the outcome of chronic non-healing wounds.

We investigated the healing effect of a new dehydrated amnion/chorion membrane with a spongy layer over a 30-month period in 32 patients with 53 chronic non-healing wounds of different aetiologies. Wounds with <40% surface reduction after 4 weeks of best wound treatment underwent weekly allograft application by a certified wound specialist based on national guidelines and a standardised protocol until complete healing or definite treatment interruption. The main outcome measure was the percentage of wound surface reduction from baseline calculated using digital planimetry follow-up photographs. Overall, 38 (71.7%) wounds presented a favourable outcome (70%-100% area reduction), with 35 (66%) completely healing over a median time of 77 days (range 29-350 days). Favourable outcomes were observed in 75% of traumatic wounds, surgical wounds, venous leg ulcers and pressure injuries, as well as in 50% of ischaemic wounds. Wounds being present <12 months were significantly more likely to have a favourable outcome than more long-standing wounds (χ2 = 7.799; p = 0.005; OR = 3.378; 95% CI, 1.410-8.092). Thus, treatment with dehydrated amnion/chorion membrane with a spongy layer improves the outcome of non-healing wounds of different aetiologies and, therefore, has to be considered early in the management of refractory wounds.

Evaluation in a porcine wound model and long-term clinical assessment of an autologous heterogeneous skin construct used to close full-thickness wounds

Acute and chronic wounds involving deeper layers of the skin are often not adequately healed by dressings alone and require therapies such as skin grafting, skin substitutes, or growth factors. Here we report the development of an autologous heterogeneous skin construct (AHSC) that aids wound closure. AHSC is manufactured from a piece of healthy full-thickness skin. The manufacturing process creates multicellular segments, which contain endogenous skin cell populations present within hair follicles. These segments are physically optimized for engraftment within the wound bed. The ability of AHSC to facilitate closure of full thickness wounds of the skin was evaluated in a swine model and clinically in 4 patients with wounds of different etiologies. Transcriptional analysis demonstrated high concordance of gene expression between AHSC and native tissues for extracellular matrix and stem cell gene expression panels. Swine wounds demonstrated complete wound epithelialization and mature stable skin by 4 months, with hair follicle development in AHSC-treated wounds evident by 15 weeks. Biomechanical, histomorphological, and compositional analysis of the resultant swine and human skin wound biopsies demonstrated the presence of epidermal and dermal architecture with follicular and glandular structures that are similar to native skin. These data suggest that treatment with AHSC can facilitate wound closure.

Hyaluronic acid accelerates re-epithelialization and healing of acute cutaneous wounds.

Hyaluronic acid has been efficient in ameliorating and supporting recovery in both chronic and acute lesions. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid-based cream and gauze pads in cutaneous wounds. This retrospective and prospective study examines the use of a 0.2% hyaluronic acid cream or gauze-pads application (Connettivina Bio®). 85 patients participated in the study and were affected by wounds of different etiologies, comprising superficial trauma wounds (20), surgical sutures (15), first- and second-degree burns (15), dermabrasions (30) and ulcers of different etiologies (5). We analyzed the healing process in terms of progression and wound quality. Moreover, we performed biopsies (not on all patients) to evaluate the grade of re-epithelialization. We observed a reduction in the mean surface area of the wounds, precisely 456 mm2 at baseline to 147 mm2 after six weeks with an average 86% [corrected] decrease in the wound surface area. No fibrin tissue was observed, and a small amount of exudate was noted in 10% [corrected] of wounds. Hyaluronic acid cream and gauze-pads-based treatments were well tolerated by patients. All groups showed a decrease of inflammation with a progressive increase of collagen fibers and granulation tissue. The treatment with hyaluronic acid 0.2% yielded remarkable outcomes in the re-epithelialization of superficial wounds and provided favorable recovery and tolerance for patients.

Protocol-driven Therapy for Lower Extremity Ulcers: A Case Series Supporting the Use of Porcine Intestine Extracellular Matrix

Introduction. Chronic ulcers pose a public health challenge. Thus, it is imperative to be aware of and assess new management strategies that contribute to patient quality of life and optimize health resources. This study evaluated the efficacy of a new protocol for chronic wound management that includes porcine intestine ECM. Materials and Methods. Twenty-one patients with chronic wounds of different etiologies were included in this study. A new healing protocol that incorporates the use of porcine ECM was initiated for a maximum period of 12 weeks. Follow-up included a weekly visit to photograph the ulcers and record their size. Results. Wounds ranged in size from 0.5 cm2 to 10 cm2 at the outset of the study. Two of the 21 patients who started the protocol withdrew, 1 for nonadherence to the protocol and 1 for health complications unrelated to the study. Most lesions occurred in the lower limbs. All patients who completed the treatment protocol achieved wound regeneration and total wound closure within an average of 4.5 weeks. The average percentage closure rate was 100% at 8 weeks, with no AEs. Conclusions. The findings of this study demonstrate the efficacy of an evidence-based wound management protocol in achieving safe, complete tissue regeneration in a short period of time.

610 Identification of the selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist Mapracorat as potential new drug for chronic wound therapy

We have shown that the effects of wound exudates on fibroblast cultures reflect their clinical healing phenotype and can thus serve as a functional biomarker. We used this assay for screening to identify compounds or compound classes with so far unknown potential for chronic wound therapy. The selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist (SEGRA) Mapracorat was found to reverse the inhibitory effect of several exudates. The compound was profiled in additional exudate-based cellular assays to investigate its suitability for wound therapy. Primary human dermal fibroblasts were grown in 384-well plates in 2D and 3D cultures. Mapracorat was added to the cells in the presence of wound exudates from different chronic wound patients. Incubation times were 72 hours for 2D cultures and 4 – 8 days for 3D cultures. Supernatants were then harvested for the determination of IL-1beta, RNA was extracted for RT-PCR, or cells were fixed and stained for cellular protein. Mapracorat rescued inhibition of wound exudate-induced fibroblast proliferation in 80% of 200 exudates tested. For 95/200 exudates from chronic wounds of different etiologies, cell proliferation was increased by Mapracorat by >150% compared to exudate alone, and complete recovery was demonstrated in 25% of these samples. This rescue effect was achieved at low nanomolar concentrations. The compound dose-dependently inhibited IL-1beta production and enhanced matrix formation as well as collagen 1 and collagen 3 mRNA expression, indicating transition from a chronic/non-healing to a healing phenotype ex vivo. In functional ex vivo assays for chronic wounds, Mapracorat reversed the detrimental effects of wound exudates on fibroblast proliferation and matrix formation, and reduced proinflammatory cytokine secretion. Mapracorat showed good or excellent activity with almost 50% of exudates. To select the patients best suited for therapy with this compound, theranostic pretesting is recommended.

Contribution of Topical Agents such as Hyaluronic Acid and Silver Sulfadiazine to Wound Healing and Management of Bacterial Biofilm.

Background and Objectives: Wound healing is commonly associated with critical bacterial colonization or bacterial infection, which induces prolonged inflammation, resulting in delayed re-epithelialization. An appropriate wound dressing requires a humid environment, which also functions as a barrier against bacterial contamination and will accelerate a regenerative response of the wound. Silver sulfadiazine (SSD) is used to prevent wound infection. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an extracellular matrix component involved in tissue regeneration. This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of cream and gauze pads based on hyaluronic acid at low molecular weight (200 kDa) and silver sulfadiazine 1% in the wound healing process. In addition, we examined SSD action on biofilms in vitro and on animal wounds, obtaining positive outcomes therefrom. Materials and Methods: We selected 80 patients with complicated chronic wounds of different etiologies, including diabetes mellitus (10), post-traumatic ulcers (45), burns (15), and superficial abrasion (10). Results: After 8 weeks, ulcer size was decreased in 95 ± 2% of the treated patients; a significant reduction in the inflammatory process was observed from day 14 onwards (p < 0.01 vs. baseline), considering improvement of the surrounding skin and reduction of the bacterial load. The SSD treatment decreased bacterial colony proliferation, both in planktonic state and in biofilm, in a dose-dependent manner on the wound but inhibited the development of tissue granulation at the highest dose (800 μg/wound). Conclusions: In conclusion, the combined action of SSD and HA is clinically effective in improving wound healing.

Chronic wounds treated with cold atmospheric plasmajet versus best practice wound dressings: a multicenter, randomized, non-inferiority trial

The use of phase-adapted wound dressings represents best practice (BP) in chronic wound treatment. However, efficacy is often limited and associated care requirements are high. Cold atmospheric plasmajet (CAP-jet) is a promising new therapeutic tool for these wounds. In the present multicenter, randomized, open-label, prospective, clinical trial, non-inferiority of the CAP-jet versus BP was assessed in 78 patients with infected or non-infected chronic wounds of different etiology. Primary outcome measure was the sum of granulation tissue, furthermore wound area reduction, healing rate, time to complete healing, changes in wound pH value, infection score, exudate level and local tolerability were assessed. In CAP-jet treated wounds compared to control, the sum of granulation tissue was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) and wound area reduced significantly faster (p < 0.001). Furthermore, wound pH value decreased significantly faster (p = 0.0123) and local infection was overcome more rapidly by CAP-jet therapy. In 58.97% CAP-jet- vs. 5.13% BP-treated patients, complete healing of chronic ulcers was documented after 6 weeks. Treatment with CAP-jet appeared not only non-inferior, but even superior to BP in all wound entities analyzed with a favorable tolerability profile. Thus, treatment with the CAP-jet provides beneficial effects in chronic wound treatment regarding promotion of the wound healing process.

Hyaluronic Acid/Collagenase Ointment in the Treatment of Chronic Hard-to-Heal Wounds: An Observational and Retrospective Study.

Background: Wound bed preparation is an important concept in clinical practice and is related to adequate debridement. The use of proteolytic enzymes is an established method of enzymatic wound debridement, especially in hard-to-heal ulcers that are unresponsive to normal healing procedures and progress. The TIME framework (tissue, inflammation/infection, moisture balance, and edge of wound) offers an appropriate strategy to eliminate resistance to healing, as well as maximizing the healing process. Maintenance debridement, as opposed to sporadic debridement, may be proposed in preserving an adequate wound bed towards complete recovery. Collagenase has been effective in debridement due to its ability to degrade collagen and elastin. In this clinical context, collagenase taken from Vibrio alginolitycus is the most favorably expressed enzymatic debriding agent. Methods: This retrospective observational study evaluates the efficacy of an ointment based on hyaluronic acid and collagenase (Bionect Start®), considering a reduced healing time and greater healing quality. We included 70 patients with chronic wounds of different etiologies, including diabetes mellitus (20), post-traumatic ulcers (35), chronic burns of degrees I and II (10), and pressure ulcers (5). We analyzed wound characteristics using the wound bed score (WBS) concept, healing time, as well as operator and patient satisfaction. Results: Frequency of debridement efficacy in terms of wound bed cleansing varied from 26% after 2 weeks to 93% after 4 weeks. We observed complete healing in 62 patients within an eight-week period. The overall operator and patient satisfaction after 8 weeks were 100% and 90%, respectively. Moreover, all patients reported less pain. Conclusions: A combined action of hyaluronic acid and collagenase ointment demonstrated a reduction in healing time while improving healing quality, with a decrease in pain.

Medical grade honey: Hope for wounded white rhinos

South Africa is home to some of the world's most endangered wildlife, with the White rhinoceros (Cerathotherium simum) among its most threatened species due to its highly sought-after horn. Since the reproduction number is below the mortality rate, there is a decrease in rhinos year over year, urgently requiring changes and saving the survivors. In this study, the efficacy of medical grade honey (MGH) for wound care in rhinos was investigated.We presented a case series of seven rhinos with wounds of different etiologies, including gunshots and poaching. Four wounds were around the horns and three on the limbs. It was a challenge to take care and follow-up the wounds of these wild animals in their natural habitat. A well-balanced decision between the need of treatment and risk of immobilization is constantly evaluated. In the presented cases, MGH proved a novel tool with minimal intervention and maximal effectiveness. With the severity of the wounds taken into consideration, there was a rapid healing in all cases, while infection resolved when present. MGH creates a moist and anti-inflammatory wound environment, while promoting almost all aspects in the wound healing processes, such as autolytic debridement, angiogenesis and re-epithelialization. The efficacy of MGH has constantly been confirmed in other cases and literature as well. MGH forms a potent therapy for treating wounded rhinos, independent of the severity of the wound. The strong antimicrobial and healing properties make it an easy and versatile product that can be used in all kinds of wounds.

In vitro and in vivo Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma-Based Autologous Topical Serum on Cutaneous Wound Healing

Introduction: Skin injury and wound healing is an inevitable event during lifetime. However, several complications may hamper the regeneration of the cutaneous tissue and lead to a chronic profile that prolongs patient recovery. Platelet-rich plasma is rising as an effective and safe alternative to the management of wounds. However, this technology presents some limitations such as the need for repeated blood extractions and health-care interventions. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the use of an endogenous and storable topical serum (ES) derived from plasma rich in growth factors promoting wound healing, and to obtain preliminary data regarding its clinical and experimental effect over ulcerated skin models and patient care. Methods: Human dermal fibroblast and 3D organotypic ulcerated skin models were used to assess ES over the main mechanisms of wound healing including cell migration, edge contraction, collagen synthesis, tissue damage, extracellular matrix remodeling, cell death, metabolic activity, and histomorphometry analysis. Additionally, 4 patients suffering from skin wounds were treated and clinically assessed. Results: ES promoted dermal fibroblast migration, wound edge contraction, and collagen synthesis. When topically applied, ES increased collagen and elastin deposition and reduced tissue damage. The interstitial edema, structural integrity, and cell activity were also maintained, and apoptotic levels were reduced. Patients suffering from hard-to-heal wounds of different etiologies were treated with ES, and the ulcers healed completely within few weeks with no reported adverse events. Conclusion: This preliminary study suggests that ES might promote cutaneous wound healing and may be useful for accelerating the re-epithelization of skin ulcers.

Photobiomodulation as an Adjunct Therapy in Wound Healing.

"Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation" or more commonly known as Laser has become very popular in the field of dermatology and aesthetic medicine over the past decades. For the treatment of wound healing, a combination of different wavelengths for laser therapy has been introduced which includes 660, 800, and 970 nm. The aim of this study was to note wound healing utilizing photobiomodulation as an adjunct therapy by measuring the wound size in terms of length and width (area measurement). Study participants were selected randomly from a pool of patients who were attending for their routine follow-up visits in the Wound Care Unit in Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Eleven patients with chronic wounds of different etiologies, ie, diabetic foot ulcer and nonhealing ulcer, were recruited for this study . Wound assessment was done prior to cleansing using distilled water and followed by debridement if necessary. Subsequently, the laser technician and patients used protective goggles before applying a super intense continuous flow of laser with 3 wavelengths, ie, 660, 800, and 970 nm with 30 kJ of energy with the handpiece over a 3 min period whereby it is focused on the wound milieu and then rotated around the periwound area. There were 9 diabetic foot ulcers and 2 nonhealing ulcers treated with photobiomodulation as an adjunct therapy. All wounds were managed with the standard of care. Three wounds ie, 3 diabetic foot ulcers and 1 nonhealing ulcer were closed completely. Meanwhile, the other 7 ulcers are at 68.2% to 99% in terms of wound area reduction and new granulomatous tissue was present indicating high healing potential. Therefore, the photobiomodulation was effective as an adjunct in the management of diabetic foot and nonhealing ulcers in this case series. A larger sample size would be able to show the significance of this finding.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: A Pilot Study

Introduction: Impaired wound healing has a significant socio- economic impact. The introduction of Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) has been one of the major breakthroughs in the management of nonhealing wounds owing to its property of granulation tissue formation via effects related to local sub atmospheric pressure and fluid drainage. Aim: To study the efficacy of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) in wound healing. Materials and Methods: A pilot study was performed on 50 patients out of which 41 were males 82% and 9 were females (18%) with chronic non healing wounds of different aetiologies between the age of 15-70 years. Eligible patients were treated with NPWT at two days interval for an average of two dressings. Patients were evaluated after two dressings for appearance of granulation tissue, reduction in wound size and decrease of bacterial load in the wound. Paired t-test and Chi-square tests were used. The p&lt;0.05 was considered significant. Results: The use of NPWT in different types of open wounds, pressure sores, postoperative wounds resulted in reduction of wound size (p-value=0.001), infection rate (p-value=0.001) within a week after two dressings to finally be closed with split skin grafting or secondary suturing. Conclusion: NPWT dressing is a safe, reliable intervention for patients with chronic wounds associated with impaired wound healing, particularly with wounds larger in surface area which requires closure by split skin grafting or musculocutaneous flaps.

Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Enhances the Healing of Large Cutaneous Wounds in Dogs.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is known to play a crucial role in skin wound healing, in both Human and Veterinary Medicine. Remarkably, until now, no studies have reported PRP treatment in subacute full-thickness skin wounds of the dog. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two consecutive applications of autologous PRP, with the second application after 15 days, in 6 dogs showing large subacute skin wounds. The percentage of contraction, re-epithelialization and healing in all treated patients indicated that no complications or side effects, associated with consecutive PRP treatments, occurred in any patient and all wounds achieved complete closure and re-epithelialization. Our results suggest a positive effect of repeated autologous topical PRP treatments in large cutaneous subacute wounds of different etiology. Therefore, this PRP treatment could represent a simple, cost-effective, and valid alternative to promote healing processes in subacute large wounds cases in dogs.

Treatment of chronic wounds of patients with diabetes mellitus using heterografts

The aim. To investigate the reduction of wound healing time of various etiologies on the background of diabetes mellitus with arteries and veins with the help of combined treatment with the use of heterografts.The article uses the results of treatment of 18 patients with chronic wounds of different etiology with diabetes which were treated in the department of vascular disease in “Institute of General and Emergency Surgery Named after V.T. Zaitsev NAMS of Ukraine” in 2019–2020 years. All patients had diabetes of II type, and 8 of them had III and IV level of limb ischemia according to Fontaine, and 7 of them had chronical venous insufficiency (CVI) C6 (according to CEAP), and 2 patients were diagnosed arterial and venous pathologies, one patient had vast chronic post-traumatic wound of a shin. All patients underwent analysis of clinical, laboratory, non-invasive and invasive methods of patients’ examination to determine the degree of the main blood flow disturbance, the nature of collateral blood circulation and microcirculation of the level of wound contamination, as well as the phase of the wound developing. Among the patients of the studied group with CVI, 2 patients underwent femoral shin shunting, 2 patients underwent hybrid reconstructive surgery, and 4 patients underwent endovascular interventions on the shin’s arteries. Patients with CVI underwent scleroobliteration of disabled perforators under ultrasound navigation. The patients were prescribed the following scheme: compensation of diabetes, metabolic therapy, antibacterial, anticoagulant and angiotropic therapy, physical therapy, local treatment: photodynamic therapy and staged closure of tissue defects by a heterograft membrane.Results. The area of wounds surface in the patients with obliterating lesions of the arteries of the lower extremities before the start of treatment was in average of 391.3±100.42 cm2, against the background of complex treatment and wound closure with a heterograft on days 10–12 of treatment – 4.72±0.63 (p&lt;0.01), and complete closure of the wounds was achieved within 3 weeks. In the patients with chronic venous insufficiency after performing sclerobliteration of incompetent perforants and PDT, the wound area was 16.92±0.18 cm2, on days 7–10 – 7.82±0.68 3 (by 50.63 %, p&lt;0.01 ), and complete healing of the tissue defect was reached by the 4th week.Conclusions. Use of a heterograft, namely the amniotic membrane makes it possible to achieve shorter periods of healing of chronic wounds in patients with diabetes mellitus. The healing is 2-3 times faster than other modern methods of treatment. It reduces cost of treatment and reduces the period of disability. Shorter treatment period also reduces workload on medical staff and improve the quality of life of patients with diabetes mellitus. Faster wound cleaning lowers risks of local infectious complications

Fat graft for reducing pain in chronic wounds.

Chronic wounds are one of the most important challenge for regenerative surgery. Plastic surgeon can use fat graft to increase wound healing because its growth factors can enhance tissue regeneration. In a recent study, the authors evaluated a reduction of pain in a cohort of patients submitted to breast reconstruction with breast implant and lipofilling, putting into evidence that growth factors in fat graft can reduce post-surgical pain. The aim of this work is to evaluate ultra-filtered fat graft potential in reducing pain in chronic wounds. Fifty new patients with chronic wounds of different etiology were recruited for this study and divided into two groups: A, treatment and B, control. Twenty-five patients per group. Negative pressure therapy dressing was applied after surgical debridement. Three days later patients in group A received ultrafiltered fat graft. Pain was evaluated with preoperative Visual Analogic Scale, repeated twice a day for 14 days and finally 21 days from procedures. In group A (treated patients), pain was lower. These data were confirmed even after 7 days. The overall statistical analysis of the average of all values (SD 1.72) confirmed that the differences were significant at the 95% with the Chi-square test and analysis of variance (P value < .05). The ultra-filtered fat graft placed on the wound bed and edges was effective in reducing pain in chronic wounds. The reduction of pain was statistically significant.

Estudo de caso: ação do ácido hialurônico e ativos naturais na cicatrização de feridas – Pharmacure®

Estudos demonstram efeitos promissores dos fitoterápicos para o tratamento de feridas de diversas etiologias. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a eficácia e benefí­cios do uso de Pharmacure®, contendo ativos naturais e fitoterápicos no tratamento da Erisipela. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um estudo de caso de uma mulher de 57 anos que apresentava uma lesão extensa decorrente de Erisipela. Realizou-se observações, medições e registros fotográficos semanalmente. Os curativos eram realizados diariamente com limpeza e aplicação da loção Pharmacure®. RESULTADOS: Após 35 dias observou-se reparação cutânea da lesão, evolução cicatricial mais rápida e positiva, aproximações das bordas e melhor alinhamento das mesmas. A lesão cicatrizou completamente em 122 dias. DISCUSSíO: Os fitoterápicos constituintes da loção associados ao ácido hialurônico são evidenciados na literatura dado seu potencial antimicrobianos, anti-inflamatórios e cicatrizante. Destaca-se as intervenções do enfermeiro para o sucesso do tratamento de feridas. CONCLUSíO: O Pharmacure® apresentou-se como cobertura promissora na reparação tecidual de pacientes com Erisipela.

Evaluating the effectiveness of combined use of non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma and frequently-modulated electric field signal in skin wound healing

Background Scientists around the world are interested in applying physical phenomena to various fields of science. The development of entire areas united by one concept (‘plasma medicine’, etc.) stands as a bright example. Present work focuses on only two concepts of interest, which are plasma jet and electric field, as far as results of their combined use in clinical practice and in surgery remain understudied. Objective Experimental evaluation of the effectiveness of physical methods of treatment in skin wound healing. Material and methods The study was carried out on 45 small laboratory animals (rats). They were divided into 5 groups of 9 individuals in each according to method chosen for experimental wound healing. To generate the plasma jet, a portable generator was used, which is the original development of specialists of the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. Planimetric and histological measurements were analysed. The antibacterial effectiveness of methods under research was investigated using Staphylococcus aureus 209P, cultivated in vitro on 6- and 12-millimeter discs. Discussion The combined use of non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma and frequency-modulated electric field signal exhibited the ability to accelerate eschar separation by 52.1% (p &lt; 0.05) and stimulate restorative regeneration by 56% (p &lt; 0.05). Combination of physical methods of treatment demonstrated pronounced antibacterial effect. A histological examination on biopsy sample on the 21st day of observation revealed formed (mature) granulations and large number of newly formed vessels. The cellular composition of epidermal basement membrane showed high level of differentiation. Conclusion The data obtained suggest that the use of the proposed methods in clinical practice will improve the treatment process of the patients with wounds of different etiology.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the U.S. English Wound-QoL questionnaire to assess health-related quality of life in people with chronic wounds.

People with chronic wounds perceive an impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). For the assessment of HRQoL, valid instruments are needed. Therefore, the Wound-QoL questionnaire was originally developed and psychometrically validated for use in Germany. As the Wound-QoL is to be used in numerous countries, international versions are required. Therefore, this study aimed to psychometrically validate the U.S. English Wound-QoL version. Upon translation into U.S. English, psychometric testing was performed based on cross-sectional data deriving from the U.S. Wound Registry. Besides descriptive statistics, internal consistency and concurrent validity were tested. In addition, a graded response model was used. The sample consisted of 599 people with chronic wounds of different etiologies. Participants were between 18 and 95 years old, mean age was 63.7 (SD = 15.9) years. Gender was distributed almost equally, with 47.4% female patients. High internal consistency, low floor and ceiling effects of the subscales could be largely confirmed. The internal consistency of the global score was excellent, with α > .9. Concurrent validity between the Wound-QoL and pain, the surface area of the largest wound, total surface area, and total number of active wounds could be confirmed. In contrast, item response theory (IRT) analyses could not fully confirm the factorial model underlying the Wound-QoL subscales. Furthermore, the items regarding smell and discharge and the items on problems with hitting the wound against something, climbing stairs and feeling dependent on help from others showed a low item information in their belonging dimensions. In conclusion, the newly validated Wound-QoL is available for HRQoL measurement in people with chronic wounds in the United States. It showed good psychometric properties, demonstrating its reliability and validity. Therefore, the instrument may be used to assess HRQoL in clinical practice. However, IRT analyses showed that the instrument may benefit from future refinement.

Autologous Matrix of Platelet-Rich Fibrin in Wound Care Settings: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) consists of a matrix that provides the necessary elements for wound healing, acting as a biodegradable scaffold for cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation, in addition to the delivery of growth factors and angiogenesis. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the autologous PRF in the treatment of wounds of different etiologies. We carried out a systematic review of randomized clinical trials, guided by the recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration using the following databases: Pubmed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CENTRAL. The search strategy resulted in the inclusion of ten studies that evaluated the use of PRF dressings for the healing of acute or chronic wounds of multiple etiologies. Among the 172 participants treated with PRF in wounds of varying etiologies and different segment times, 130 presented favorable events with the use of the intervention. Among the 10 studies included, only two of them did not demonstrate better results than the control group. The studies showed clinical heterogeneity, making it impossible to perform a meta-analysis. The findings do not provide enough evidence to support the routine use of PRF dressings as the first line of treatment for the healing of acute or chronic wounds of different etiologies. There was great variability in the application of the various protocols and the ways to prepare the PRF, resulting in clinical heterogeneity. Therefore, it makes it impossible to synthesize and to collect evidence from different types of studies in the meta-analysis, which affects the results and their proper discussion.