Current Available Cellular and Tissue-Based Products for Treatment of Skin Defects.

The occurrence of diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers is increasing because of aging population trends as well as increases in the number of people with diabetes and obesity. New technologies have been developed to treat these conditions, whereas other technologies previously designed for burns and traumatic wounds have been adapted. This article reviews the development of selected skin replacement technologies, particularly cellular and tissue-based products, highlighting their effectiveness on diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and burns.

Plastic Surgery Complications from Medical Tourism Treated in a U.S. Academic Medical Center.

Background: Medical tourism is a growing, multi-billion dollar industry fueled by improvements in the global transportation infrastructure. The authors studied patients living in the United States who travel to other countries for plastic surgical procedures and returned to have their complications treated in the authors' center.

Methods: A retrospective patient evaluation was performed.

Evidence-Based Medicine: The Evaluation and Treatment of Pressure Injuries.

Learning Objective: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Discuss the approach to and rationale for pressure injury management, including specific techniques for prevention and preoperative evaluation. 2.

The Role of Dermal Matrices in Treating Inflammatory and Diabetic Wounds.

Background: Dermal matrices are used to improve healing in both acute and chronic wounds including diabetic and lower extremity wounds, burns, trauma, and surgical reconstruction. The use of dermal matrices for the closure of inflammatory ulcerations is less frequent but growing. Currently available products include decellularized dermis and semisynthetic matrices.

Effect of negative pressure wound therapy on wound healing.

The efficacy of NPWT in promoting wound healing has been largely accepted by clinicians, yet the number of high-level clinical studies demonstrating its effectiveness is small and much more can be learned about the mechanisms of action. In the future, hopefully we will have the data to assist clinicians in selecting optimal parameters for specific wounds including interface material, waveform of suction application, and the amount of suction to be applied. Further investigation into specific interface coatings and instillation therapy are also needed.

Negative pressure wound therapy: past, present and future.

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), which was introduced as a commercial product (V.A.C.

Mechanisms of action of microdeformational wound therapy.

Microdeformational Wound Therapy (MDWT) is a class of medical devices that have revolutionized the treatment of complex wounds over the last 20 years. These devices, are a subset of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT), in which there is a highly porous interface material placed between the wound and a semi-occlussive dressing and connected to suction. The porous interface material acts to deform the wound on a micro scale promoting cellular proliferation.

Update on negative-pressure wound therapy.

Background: Over the last 15 years, negative-pressure wound therapy has become commonly used for treatment of a wide variety of complex wounds. There are now several systems marketed, and additional products will be available in the near future. Many clinicians have noted a dramatic response when negative-pressure wound therapy technology has been used, prompting a number of scientific investigations related to its mechanism of action and clinical trials determining its efficacy.

Reduction in incidence of deep sternal wound infections: random or real?

Objective: Comorbidities predisposing cardiac surgical patients toward deep sternal wound infection, such as diabetes and obesity, are rising in the United States. Longitudinal analysis of risk factors, morbidity, and mortality was performed to assessed effects of these health trends on deep sternal wound infection rates.

Methods: In this retrospective analysis of all median sternotomies performed at a single institution from 1991 through 2006, demographic and surgical characteristics were identified from a prospective database.