Abstract
Introduction
Complex wounds (CW) resulting from necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) and soft tissue traumatic injuries create unique challenges. Radical debridement is often the first step in management but can result in disfigurement with impaired function and compromised cosmesis. The standard of care at our institution for full-thickness burn injuries of similar complexity is widely meshed autografting with application of autologous skin cell suspension (ASCS). Our study is a case series reviewing outcomes using ASCS for CW from non-burn etiology.
Methods
A retrospective chart review from March 2019 through July 2020 was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of ASCS and widely meshed autografting in CW. Patients presenting with CW underwent serial excisions of devitalized tissue by acute care and burn surgeons. Dermal substitute utilization for wound preparation was at the discretion of the surgeon. Definitive wound closure was achieved using ASCS in combination with a widely meshed autograft. The wounds were covered with a non-adherent, non-absorbent, small pore primary dressing along with bismuth-impregnated, petroleum-based gauze or negative pressure wound therapy dependent on wound bed contour. Further padding with gauze was applied along with compressive dressing.
Results
In total, 8 patients with CW were included in this review. The mean age was 58 years (range 27-85) with an equal number of males and females. Wound etiology included NSTI (n=5), degloving injury (n=2), and traumatic amputation (n=1). The average wound size measured 1,300cm2 (range 300-3,000). 50% of the patients were treated with a dermal substitute and negative pressure wound therapy prior to ASCS and autograft placement. 7 of 8 patients received split-thickness skin grafting in the ratio of 3:1 with one patient grafted at a 2:1 expansion. 7 of the 8 patients had >90% wound closure within 8-10 days of ASCS and autograft application. One patient had significant graft failure after removing surgical dressings and autograft in the early post-operative period secondary to dementia. One patient expired during the follow-up period secondary to medical comorbidities. The 6 remaining patients had durable wound closure and acceptable cosmetic outcome. All patients were discharged within 10 days of ASCS application with 4 patients discharging home and 4 patients discharging to an acute inpatient rehabilitation.
Conclusions
This study is the first case series to review ASCS in combination with widely meshed skin grafts in the management of CW from a non-burn etiology. Durable, timely wound closure and an acceptable cosmetic outcome was achieved in these often-challenging CW.
The Combined Use of Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy and Dermal Substitutes for Tissue Repair and Regeneration