ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: For extensive burns, autologous donor skin may be insufficient for early debridement and grafting in a single stage. A novel, synthetic polyurethane dermal template (NovoSorb® Biodegradable Temporising Matrix, BTM) was developed to address this need. The aim of this study was to evaluate use of BTM for primary dermal repair after deep burn injury. METHODS: A multicentre, prospective, clinical study was conducted from September 2015 to May 2018. The primary endpoint was % split skin graft take over applied BTM at 7-10 days after grafting. Secondary endpoints included % BTM take, incidence of infection and adverse events, and scar quality to 12 months after BTM application. RESULTS: Thirty patients were treated with BTM and delayed split skin grafting. The % graft take had a mean of 81.9% and % BTM take had a mean of 88.6%, demonstrating effective integration of BTM. When managed appropriately, it was possible for BTM to integrate successfully despite findings suggestive of infection. Scar quality improved over time. DISCUSSION: These results provide additional clinical evidence on the safety and performance of BTM as an effective dermal substitute in the treatment of patients with deep burn injuries.
Subject(s)
Burns , Skin, Artificial , Burns/surgery , Cicatrix/etiology , Humans , Polyurethanes/therapeutic use , Prospective Studies , Skin Transplantation/methods , Wound HealingABSTRACT
A method used at some centers to remove or replace percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes is to cut the tube at the skin level, allowing the internal flange to be eliminated intestinally. This is known as the cut-and-push technique. This report describes a case in which the internal flange resulted in intestinal perforation in a patient with no history of underlying intestinal disease or abdominal surgery. This case illustrates the importance of interval abdominal radiographs to confirm extrusion of the internal flange.