Bio-conjugated polycaprolactone membranes: a novel wound dressing.
BACKGROUND
The combination of polycaprolactone and hyaluronic acid creates an ideal environment for wound healing. Hyaluronic acid maintains a moist wound environment and accelerates the in-growth of granulation tissue. Polycaprolactone has excellent mechanical strength, limits inflammation and is biocompatible. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of bio-conjugated polycaprolactone membranes (BPM) as a wound dressing.


METHODS
16 New Zealand white rabbits were sedated and local anaesthesia was administered. Two 3.0×3.0 cm full-thickness wounds were created on the dorsum of each rabbit, between the lowest rib and the pelvic bone. The wounds were dressed with either BPM (n=12) or Mepitel (n=12) (control), a polyamide-silicon wound dressing. These were evaluated macroscopically on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th postoperative days for granulation, re-epithelialization, infection, and wound size, and histologically for epidermal and dermal regeneration.


RESULTS
Both groups showed a comparable extent of granulation and re-epithelialization. No signs of infection were observed. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in wound size between the two groups. BPM (n=6): 8.33 cm(2), 4.90 cm(2), 3.12 cm(2), 1.84 cm(2); Mepitel (n=6): 10.29 cm(2), 5.53 cm(2), 3.63 cm(2), 2.02 cm(2); at the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th postoperative days. The extents of epidermal and dermal regeneration were comparable between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
BPM is comparable to Mepitel as a safe and efficacious wound dressing.
Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore.
Elijah Zhengyang
EZ
Cai
Department of Reproductive Medicine, KK Women's and Children Hospital, Singapore.
Erin Yiling
EY
Teo
Division of Bioengineering, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Lim
L
Jing
Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore.
Yun Pei
YP
Koh
Centre for Biomedical Materials Applications and Technology (BIOMAT), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Tan Si
TS
Qian
Division of Bioengineering, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Feng
F
Wen
Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore.
James Wai Kit
JW
Lee
Department of Surgery, National University of Singapore, Singapore. ; Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore.
Eileen Chor Hoong
EC
Hing
Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore.
Yan Lin
YL
Yap
Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore.
Hanjing
H
Lee
Department of Surgery, National University of Singapore, Singapore. ; Division of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore.
Chuen Neng
CN
Lee
Division of Bioengineering, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Swee-Hin
SH
Teoh
Department of Surgery, National University of Singapore, Singapore. ; Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore.
Jane
J
Lim
Department of Surgery, National University of Singapore, Singapore. ; Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore.
Thiam Chye
TC
Lim
Hyaluronic acid; Polycaprolactone; Rabbit; Skin; Wounds