title: Epigard: a synthetic skin substitute with application to podiatric wound management.
abstract: The authors present a synthetic skin substitute, Epigard, which was developed in 1973 and has been used worldwide for temporary coverage of open wounds. Epigard is a two-layer, non-medicated wound dressing which approximates the function of human skin. The article discusses the proper indications and usage of Epigard, as well as post operative wound management and definitive wound closure decisions. A case presentation involving a serious diabetic wound infection is discussed. At Doctors Hospital, Epigard has become an important adjunctive therapy in wound management by improving wound healing time and decreasing patient hospital stay.
authors.affiliation: Department of Podiatric Surgery, Doctors Hospital, Denver, Colorado.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Edelman
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: McGarry
mesh_terms: D003646:Debridement; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D014034:Toes / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014945:Wound Healing; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers; C010946:polytetrafluoroethane