Chronic Wound Management: From Gauze to Homologous Cellular Matrix

Abstract

Background: Chronic wounds are a significant health problem with devastating consequences for patients’ physical, social, and mental health, increasing healthcare systems’ costs. Their prolonged healing times, economic burden, diminished quality of life, increased infection risk, and impact on patients’ mobility and functionality make them a major concern for healthcare professionals. Purpose: This review offers a multi-perspective analysis of the medical literature focusing on chronic wound management. Methods used: We evaluated 48 articles from the last 21 years registered in the MEDLINE and Global Health databases. The articles included in our study had a minimum of 20 citations, patients > 18 years old, and focused on chronic, complex, and hard-to-heal wounds. Extracted data were summarized into a narrative synthesis using the same health-related quality of life instrument. Results: We evaluated the efficacy of existing wound care therapies from classical methods to modern concepts, and wound care products to regenerative medicine that uses a patient’s pluripotent stem cells and growth factors. Regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies, biologic dressings and scaffolds, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), electrical stimulation, topical growth factors and cytokines, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), advanced wound dressings, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital wound management are all part of the new arsenal of wound healing. Conclusion: Periodic medical evaluation and proper use of modern wound care therapies, including the use of plasma-derived products [such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF)] combined with proper systemic support (adequate protein levels, blood sugar, vitamins involved in tissue regeneration, etc.) are the key to a faster wound healing, and, with the help of AI, can reach the fastest healing rate possible.

Safety and efficacy of the Plasma Directed Electron Beam (PDEB™) - implications for enhanced wound healing treatment in military operational medicine and beyond

“…However, optimizing treatment for acute and chronic wounds remains a complex and multifaceted challenge that demands innovative solutions. The treatment of wounds involves various methods, including physical barriers like dressings and skin substitutes, which protect the wound, absorb excess fluid, and create a conducive healing environment [4]. Additionally, device-assisted healing, such as Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT), Modular Adaptive Electrotherapy Delivery System (MAEDS), hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), non-invasive wound closures and pharmaceutical interventions like antibiotics, antimicrobials, and blood products such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) play vital roles in enhancing blood flow, stimulating tissue formation, and preventing infections [5][6][7][8][9][10][11].…”

Skin wound healing in diabetic rat model using low‐dose photodynamic therapy

“…Diabetic foot, venous leg ulcers, and pressure ulcers are the main examples of chronic ulcers. 6 The nerve cells that are impaired in diabetes cause itching, losing nerve sensitivity, and pain. Nerve sensitivity impairment is dangerous, consequently, when they have a wound lead to delayed injury response.…”