Upcoming journal article:
Bioabsorbable Temporizing Matrix (BTM): Not Just for Burns
The authors have used this matrix in a wide variety of complex reconstructions in 27 patients, consisting of 10 females and 17 males. Eleven had traumatic wounds of various etiologies (deep burns, crush injuries, Morell-Lavallee lesion, hand injuries, multiple trauma, open fractures, compartment syndromes and soft tissue avulsions).
The following wounds were also treated with BTM: pressure ulcers, axillary hidradenitis, scalp wounds, severe facial acne keloidalis, Fournier's gangrene, a diabetic foot ulcer, a chronic venous ulcer, a cutaneous pyoderma gangrenosum, a radiation ulcer with exposed Achilles tendon, a disfiguring scar from an old Dupytrens excision and a non-healing chemotherapy extravasation ulcer. Hand and leg wounds with exposed tendon achieved coverage without tethering. The scalp wounds developed a neodermis and were skin-grafted. A pyoderma gangrenosum patient with excessive slough and uncontrolled bleeding was temporarily immunosuppressed, aggressively debrided and covered with the matrix. Her bleeding resolved. She developed a neodermis, and had reduced symptoms.
The Fournier's patient had immediate skin-grafting of his penis and testicles, but the remaining extensive perineal and upper thigh wounds were treated with the matrix and healed without additional skin grafting. A hand patient with a forearm fasciotomy wound was covered with the matrix. As the swelling resolved the size of the defect decreased to the point that the wound was delaminated. The adjacent skin was elevated and used to cover the open area, achieving full closure. There were no complications attributed to the use of the matrix. Several patients healed secondarily with the silicone sheeting gradually peeling off. Seven patients have received or are awaiting skin grafts to be placed over the neodermis. Although this is an early review of the use of this synthetic matrix in the US, it comes with a positive legacy from Australia.
The findings thus far indicate that there is a wide range of applications for this product well beyond burn care. Its safety record, resistance to infection and ease of use facilitate surgery.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37802065/
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