Seong Ho Jeong

Cytotoxicity of silver dressings on diabetic fibroblasts

A large number of silver‐based dressings are commonly used in the management of chronic wounds that are at risk of infection, including diabetic foot ulcers. However, there are still controversies regarding the toxicity of silver dressings on wound healing. The purpose of this study was to objectively test the cytotoxicity of silver dressings on human diabetic fibroblasts. Human diabetic fibroblasts were obtained from the foot skin of four diabetic foot ulcer patients and cultured. The effect of five silver‐containing dressing products (Aquacel Ag, Acticoat*Absorbent, Medifoam Ag, Biatain Ag and PolyMem Ag) and their comparable silver‐free dressing products on morphology, proliferation and collagen synthesis of the cultured human diabetic fibroblasts were compared in vitro. In addition, extracts of each dressing were tested in order to examine the effect of other chemical components found in the dressings on cytotoxicity. The diabetic fibroblasts cultured with each silver‐free dressing adopted the typical dendritic and fusiform shape. On the other hand, the diabetic fibroblasts did not adopt this typical morphology when treated with the different silver dressings. All silver dressings tested in the study reduced the viability of the diabetic fibroblasts and collagen synthesis by 54–70 and 48–68%, respectively, when compared to silver‐free dressings. Silver dressings significantly changed the cell morphology and decreased cell proliferation and collagen synthesis of diabetic fibroblasts. Therefore, silver dressings should be used with caution when treating diabetic wounds.

Treatment of diabetic foot ulcers using a blood bank platelet concentrate.

Background: Many clinical trials have shown the effectiveness of platelet releasate on chronic wound healing, but large volumes of blood must be aspirated from patients and a platelet separator is required. Moreover, in the case of using homologous platelets, time and effort are needed to locate a suitable donor, and the donors blood sample must be tested for a history of infectious disease. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of a straightforward method using a blood bank platelet concentrate in treating diabetic foot ulcers. Methods: Fifty-two patients with diabetic foot ulcers were treated using a blood bank platelet concentrate. A control treatment (i.e., treatment with topical fibrinogen and thrombin) was performed on 48 patients. Twelve weeks after treatment, the percentage of complete healing, mean healing time, percentage of wound shrinkage, and patient satisfaction were compared. Results: Complete wound healing was achieved in 79 percent of the blood bank platelet concentrate–treated group and 46 percent of the control group (p < 0.05). The times required for complete healing were 7.0 ± 1.9 and 9.2 ± 2.2 weeks in the blood bank platelet concentrate–treated and control groups, respectively (p < 0.05). The degrees of wound shrinkage were 96.3 ± 7.8 and 81.6 ± 19.7 percent for the treated and control groups, respectively (p < 0.05). Patient satisfaction with the blood bank platelet concentrate treatment yielded better results than the control method (mean score, 7.6 ± 1.6 and 5.3 ± 1.4, respectively; p < 0.05). No adverse events related to the study treatment occurred. Conclusions: Treatment of diabetic foot ulcers using a blood bank platelet concentrate showed results superior to control treatment. A blood bank platelet concentrate offers a simple and effective treatment for diabetic foot ulcers.

Effect of fibroblast-seeded artificial dermis on wound healing.

AbstractIn covering wounds, efforts should include use of the safest and least invasive methods with a goal of achieving optimal functional and cosmetic outcome. The recent development of advanced technology in wound healing has triggered the use of cells and/or biological dermis to improve wound healing conditions. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of fibroblast-seeded artificial dermis on wound healing efficacy.Ten nude mice were used in this study. Four full-thickness 6-mm punch wounds were created on the dorsal surface of each mouse (total, 40 wounds). The wounds were randomly assigned to one of the following 4 treatments: topical application of Dulbecco phosphate-buffered saline (control), human fibroblasts (FB), artificial dermis (AD), and human fibroblast-seeded artificial dermis (AD with FB). On the 14th day after treatment, wound healing rate and wound contraction, which are the 2 main factors determining wound healing efficacy, were evaluated using a stereoimage optical topometer system, histomorphological analysis, and immunohistochemistry.The results of the stereoimage optical topometer system demonstrated that the FB group did not have significant influence on wound healing rate and wound contraction. The AD group showed reduced wound contraction, but wound healing was delayed. The AD with FB group showed decreased wound contraction without significantly delayed wound healing. Histomorphological analysis exhibited that more normal skin structure was regenerated in the AD with FB group. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the AD group and the AD with FB group produced less &agr;-smooth muscle actin than the control group, but this was not shown in the FB group.Fibroblast-seeded artificial dermis may minimize wound contraction without significantly delaying wound healing in the treatment of skin and soft tissue defects.

Radical resection of a venous malformation in middle finger and immediate reconstruction using medial plantar artery perforator flap: A case report

Reconstruction of complex defects resulting from radical resection of venous malformation occurring in other digits except the thumb is challenging because a thin and durable flap is required to achieve optimal reconstruction without functional impairment. Here, we describe an alternative reconstruction technique in a young patient. A 15‐year‐old female patient with venous malformation of the left 3rd finger was treated by radical excision of the tumor including involved skin, distal phalanx, and nail bed followed by reconstruction with free medial plantar artery perforator flap and split thickness nail bed graft from the great toe. Twenty‐nine months after surgery, the reconstructed finger showed a acceptable aesthetic result without tumor recurrence and excellent restoration of motor function. This method can be considered as an useful alternative option for management of the digital venous malformation in other digits except the thumb. Indications and technical aspects of this method are discussed in this report.

An algorithmic approach for reconstruction of burn alopecia.

Although various methods for reconstruction of burn alopecia have been described in case reports and small case series, a comprehensive comparison of these methods has not been performed. The purpose of this study was to assess the appropriateness of the clinical indications for the various reconstructive methods for burn alopecia and suggest an algorithm for individualized reconstruction. A review of 83 patients who underwent reconstruction for burn alopecia between 1995 and 2007 was conducted. Demographics, associated injuries, preoperative findings, surgical techniques, and postoperative complications were collected. From these data, we classified reconstructive methods based on the area, the scar quality, and the location of the burn alopecia, and investigated the clinical outcomes. Reconstructive methods included hair grafting (n = 13), scalp reduction (n = 21), scalp extension (n = 14), and scalp expansion (n = 37). Hair grafting was mainly performed for reconstruction of small, good-quality burn alopecia located in the frontal or parietal area. Scalp reduction was primarily used in small or medium burn alopecia in which scar quality was good or moderate. Scalp extension was mainly performed for reconstruction of medium- and moderate-quality burn alopecia; scalp extension was particularly successful in the vertex region. Scalp expansion was the reconstructive procedure of choice for large, poor-quality burn alopecia. Twenty-eight (33.7%) patients experienced surgical complications and most of the complications were related to alloplastic implants used in scalp extension and expansion. The reconstructive method should be tailored to the conditions of the burn alopecia. Because scalp extension and expansion are associated with a high rate of complications, the authors recommend the use of these methods for large, poor-quality burn alopecia. On the other hand, hair grafting and scalp reduction are more appropriate treatment options for relatively small, good-quality burn alopecia.

Potential use of blood bank platelet concentrates to accelerate wound healing of diabetic ulcers.

Many clinical trials have shown the effectiveness of platelet releasate on diabetic wound healing, but large volumes of blood must be aspirated from patients and a platelet separator is required. This study was undertaken to investigate the potential of blood bank platelet concentrate (BBPC) for accelerating diabetic wound healing. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) contents in BBPC were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in vitro, and the in vivo study involved comparing extents of wound healing in BBPC-treated and control groups using diabetic mouse wound models. In the in vitro study, 5.2 ± 1.2 pg of PDGF-BB was found to be released by 1 million platelets in fresh BBPC, and adding thrombin to BBPC significantly increased the levels of PDGF-BB released. Our in vivo study in diabetic mice revealed that BBPC treatment greatly accelerated wound healing. Our results suggest that BBPC has potential to accelerate the healing of diabetic ulcers.

Versatile use of submental tissue for reconstruction of perioral soft tissue defects

Abstracts To obtain optimum aesthetic result, perioral soft tissue defects require reconstruction using similar tissue. The submental area has very similar characteristics to perioral soft tissue and consists of thin, pliable tissue with a perfect color match. Therefore, we have used submental tissues for reconstruction of perioral soft tissue defects and application of the techniques, and results are discussed in this article. Between February 2001 and April 2008, 14 perioral soft tissue reconstruction procedures using the submental tissues were performed. The defect was on the upper lip including nasal columella in 5 cases, mentum in 3 cases, and oral commissure including buccal cheek in 6 cases. The techniques that were used included composite graft in 3 cases, local advancement flap in 3 cases, pedicled flap in 5 cases, and free flap in 3 cases. Patients were followed up for 9 months to 5 years. During this period, no major complications were noted, and satisfactory aesthetic results were obtained. All transferred submental tissues survived. In all patients, donor defects were closed primarily except in cases of local advancement flap. The donor-site scar was inconspicuous and well hidden below the mandibular margin and did not restrict neck motion in all patients. In particular, hair restoration on the flap was excellent in male patients. We believe that the submental area can provide useful soft tissue for perioral soft tissue defects because it provides a good color and texture match with perioral skin and can be harvested with minimal donor-site morbidity.

Risk factors for major amputation in hospitalised diabetic foot patients

Diabetic foot ulcers are the main cause of non‐traumatic lower extremity amputation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for major amputation in diabetic foot patients. Eight hundred and sixty diabetic patients were admitted to the diabetic wound centre of the Korea University Guro Hospital for foot ulcers between January 2010 and December 2013. Among them, 837 patients were successfully monitored until complete healing. Ulcers in 809 patients (96·7%) healed without major amputation and those in 28 patients (3·3%) healed with major amputation. Data of 88 potential risk factors including demographics, ulcer condition, vascularity, bioburden, neurology and serology were collected from patients in the two groups and compared. Among the 88 potential risk factors, statistically significant differences between the two groups were observed in 26 risk factors. In the univariate analysis, which was carried out for these 26 risk factors, statistically significant differences were observed in 22 risk factors. In a stepwise multiple logistic analysis, six of the 22 risk factors remained statistically significant. Multivariate‐adjusted odds ratios were 11·673 for ulcers penetrating into the bone, 8·683 for dialysis, 6·740 for gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, 6·158 for hind foot ulcers, 0·641 for haemoglobin levels and 1·007 for fasting blood sugar levels. The risk factors for major amputation in diabetic foot patients were bony invasions, dialysis, GI disorders, hind foot locations, low levels of haemoglobin and elevated fasting blood sugar levels.

Wound-healing potential of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in vitro--a pilot study.

BACKGROUND AIMS Our previous studies demonstrated that human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells have great potential for wound healing. However, it is difficult to clinically utilize cultured stem cells. Recently, human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hUCB-MSCs) have been commercialized for cartilage repair as a first cell therapy product that uses allogeneic stem cells. Should hUCB-MSCs have a superior effect on wound healing as compared with fibroblasts, which are the main cell source in current cell therapy products for wound healing, they may possibly replace fibroblasts. The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the wound-healing activity of hUCB-MSCs with that of fibroblasts. METHODS This study was particularly designed to compare the effect of hUCB-MSCs on diabetic wound healing with those of allogeneic and autologous fibroblasts. Healthy (n = 5) and diabetic (n = 5) fibroblasts were used as the representatives of allogeneic and autologous fibroblasts for diabetic patients in the control group. Human UCB-MSCs (n = 5) were used in the experimental group. Cell proliferation, collagen synthesis and growth factor (basic fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor-β) production were compared among the three cell groups. RESULTS Human UCB-MSCs produced significantly higher amounts of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor when compared with both fibroblast groups. Human UCB-MSCs were superior to diabetic fibroblasts but not to healthy fibroblasts in collagen synthesis. There were no significant differences in cell proliferation and transforming growth factor-β production. CONCLUSIONS Human UCB-MSCs may have greater capacity for diabetic wound healing than allogeneic or autologous fibroblasts, especially in angiogenesis.

Influence of Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy on Tissue Oxygenation of the Foot

Background Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is believed to accelerate wound healing by altering wound microvascular blood flow. Although many studies using laser Doppler have found that NPWT increases perfusion, recent work using other modalities has demonstrated that perfusion is reduced. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of NPWT on tissue oxygenation of the foot, which is the most sensitive region of the body to ischemia. Methods Transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen (TcpO2) was used to determine perfusion beneath NPWT dressings of 10 healthy feet. The sensor was placed on the tarso-metatarsal area of the foot and the NPWT dressing was placed above the sensor. TcpO2 was measured until it reached a steady plateau state. The readings obtained at the suction-on period were compared with the initial baseline (pre-suction) readings. Results TcpO2 decreased significantly immediately after applying NPWT, but gradually increased over time until reaching a steady plateau state. The decrease in TcpO2 from baseline to the steady state was 2.9 to 13.9 mm Hg (mean, 9.3±3.6 mm Hg; 13.5±5.8%; P<0.01). All feet reached a plateau within 20 to 65 minutes after suction was applied. Conclusions NPWT significantly decrease tissue oxygenation of the foot by 2.9 to 13.9 mm Hg. NPWT should be used with caution on feet that do not have adequate tissue oxygenation for wound healing.