Comparison of a Fully Synthetic Electrospun Matrix to a Bi-Layered Xenograft in Healing Full Thickness Cutaneous Wounds in a Porcine Model

Abstract

A fully synthetic electrospun matrix was compared to a bi-layered xenograft in the healing of full thickness cutaneous wounds in Yucatan miniature swine. Full thickness wounds were created along the dorsum, to which these matrices were applied. The wound area was measured over the course of healing and wound tissue was scored for evidence of inflammation and healing. Animals were sacrificed at Day 15 and Day 30 and tissue samples from the wound site were harvested for histopathological analysis to evaluate inflammation and tissue healing as evidenced by granulation tissue, collagen maturation, vascularization, and epithelialization. Average wound area was significantly smaller for treatment group wounds compared to control group wounds at 15 and 30 days ([7.7 cm2 ± 0.9]/[3.8 cm2 ± 0.8]) and ([2.9 cm2 ± 1.1]/[0.2 cm2 ± 0.0]) (control/treatment) (p = 0.002/p = 0.01). Histopathological analysis of wound sections revealed superior quality of healing with treatment group wounds, as measured by inflammatory response, granulation tissue, and re-epithelialization. A fully synthetic electrospun matrix was associated with faster rates of wound closure characterized by granulation tissue, deposition of mature collagen and vascularization at earlier time points than in wounds treated with a bi-layered xenograft. Treatment with this fully synthetic material may represent a new standard of care by facilitating full-thickness wound closure while eliminating the risks of inflammatory response and disease transmission associated with biologic modalities.

Treatment of traumatic crush injury using a synthetic hybrid-scale fiber matrix in conjunction with split-thickness skin graft

“…Consistent with findings from a previous animal study, the synthetic hybrid-scale fiber matrix resulted in rapid granulation (10). The synthetic matrix is able to support effective granulation due to its architecture, which is engineered to provide a favorable environment for cellular infiltration, neovascularization, and new tissue formation (11).…”

“…As such, a two-stage procedure may be needed for effective wound coverage, with the first step being preparation of the wound bed followed by the second step of application of the STSG. Published studies have reported on the use of various biologic dermal substitutes, including a number of xenografts, prior to application of STSG; however, biologic modalities are associated with risks of disease transmission, marked inflammatory response, and limited availability (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10).…”

Mucoadhesive Electrospun Fibre-Based Technologies for Oral Medicine

“…Electrospinning uses a high voltage (5–30 kV) to produce polymer fibres, with diameters ranging from two nanometres up to several micrometres from a polymer solution or melt [ 22 ]. So far, at least 12 electrospun medical devices are in late stages of regulatory or market approval, with the majority being used as surgical grafts or for tissue regeneration [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. The technique is particularly promising for drug delivery because of its versatility and the high surface area of the resulting nanofibre mesh, which allows an active compound to be incorporated and released at a controlled rate by either diffusion or degradation of the nanofibres [ 3 ].…”

Evaluation of wound healing of diabetic foot ulcers in a prospective clinical trial using a synthetic hybrid-scale fiber matrix

“…3 Pre-clinical evaluation of the hybrid-scale fiber matrix in a porcine model resulted in faster and more complete wound closure with less inflammation and increased neovascularization compared to a commercially-available xenograft control. 4,5 A retrospective clinical study by Regulski et al found that 85% (28 of 34) of DFUs treated with the hybrid-scale fiber matrix achieved complete healing by 12 weeks. 6 Additionally, the retrospective review by Barton et al demonstrated 96% healing rate (22/23) in lower extremity wounds treated with the matrix, with the majority of their patients only requiring a single application.…”