Novel cryoprecipitate for wound healing and skin grafts in rats

Abstract

The authors sought to evaluate the ability of locally administered enhanced cryoprecipitate (eCryo) to improve the wound healing of split thickness skin grafts (STSG) and their donor sites. An STSG (5 x 5 cm) was harvested on the back of 30 rats and divided into four areas that were then treated in one of the following groups: A: 'standard' dressing without STSG; B: eCryo without STSG; C: eCryo with STSG coverage and D: STSG alone. Macroscopic and histological assessments (histomorphometric grading scale and cellular composition) were evaluated at days 7, 14, 21 and 28 for wound healing. All wound beds as well as STSGs healed well without any complications. Eighty per cent of the STSG showed a histological graft take of >75% after 28 days. There were no statistically significant differences of macroscopic or histological results between the groups at any time point. Preparation of eCryo is easy and effective. Its use as an adhesive for STSGs is safe and shows similar results as controls. The theoretical benefits of eCryo did not show significant differences. Possible reasons as well as important findings for future research on wound healing are discussed.

Enhanced cryoprecipitate for skin graft and donor site wound healing in pigs

“…The use of cryoprecipitate to augment wound healing and STSG take has been previously evaluated in rats (15). Due to the dissimilarities between humans and small mammals such as rats, this study had limited clinical applicability.…”

“…Previous studies carried out in a rat model failed to show a significant benefit to using eCryo as an STSG adhesive substitute (15). Given the histological compatibility between human and porcine skin, the authors believe that a pig model would be the most appropriate setting to evaluate eCryo's clinical applicability and effect on wound healing.…”

“…Movement of the graft, infection and bleeding all contribute to the difficulty of applying STSGs to burn wounds in areas such as the axilla, lateral aspects of the trunk, perineum and gluteal folds (14). STSG failure in these so‐called difficult‐to‐graft areas can be attributed to a deficiency of adherence and revascularisation in the wound bed, infection and a lack of mechanical stability and compliance (15). Blood products, such as fibrin glue, have been shown to enhance STSG adherence in such areas (14).…”