Title: Nessun titolo diapositiva
1Tissue engineering autologous full-thickness
skin substitute for healing chronic wounds
A. Bellomi , G. Calabrese, A. Cassisa, F.
Colpani, R. Fante, L. Gaetti, G. Granchelli, S.
Negri Servizio Anatomia Patologica Ospedale C.
Poma Mantova
2Chronic wounds, inclouding venous and
arteriosclerotic leg ulcers, diabetic foot
ulcers, decubitus and trauma induced wounds,
represent a major problem in our society. These
wounds occur with high incidence and exist for
prolonged periods of time and therefore have a
great socioeconomic impact. The problem increases
as the average age of the population increases
and therefore new therapies in wound healing are
continously being sought.
Introduction
- The aim of this study is to develop an
autologous, full-thickness skin substitute and to
evaluate its efficiency and applicability in
closing long-standing ulcers that have proven
non-responsive to the currently available
wound-healing therapies (topical therapy,
antibiotic treatment, surgical debridment,
external compression).
3Method
- We included 20 patients with long-standing
ulcers of which 13 venous and arteriosclerotic
(65), 3 diabetic (15), 3 trauma-induced and 1
burn wounds (5). Age of patients varies from 57
to 91 (average 75). The lesions were present
since at least two years. -
- A single punch biopsy (diameter cm 0,6) or a
surgical biopsy (cm 1,5x1) obtained from the
patients upper leg were required. After 3-4
weeks we obtaneid three autologous products on
collagen support (Antema soft, Opocrin S.P.A)
fibroblasts (fig.1), fibroblasts and
keratinocytes (fig.2 ) and keratinocytes (fig.3).
- Sheets of keratinocytes present basal
melanocytes (fig.4) between keratinocytes and
fibroblasts we observe basement membrane (fig.5). -
- Depending on ulcers depth and dimensions our
patients underwent multiple applications (at
least two). -
- All procedures were performed with the Ethics
Committee approval and patient consent.
4Fig.1 haematoxylin-eosin stain (200x)
5Fig.2 haematoxylin-eosin stain (400x)
6Fig.3 haematoxylin-eosin stain (400x)
7Fig. 4 immunohistochemical detection of
basement membrane - collagen IV- 400 x
8Fig. 5 immunohistochemical detection of
melanocytes - HMB45 - 200 x
9Results
- The success rate in culturing biopsies was 100.
The skin substitute visibly resembled an
autograft. - Ten of the 13 (77) chronic venous ulcers (size
6-300 cmq) healed between 8 and 48 weeks (case 1
and 2). - One of the 3 (33) diabetic ulcers (size 3-28
cmq) healed within 12 weeks. - Three (100) trauma induced ulcers (size 4-6 cmq)
healed between 6 and 12 weeks. - One (100) burn ulcer (size 12 cmq) healed within
4 weeks. - Skin substitutes were very well tollerated and
pain relief was immediate after application.
10Case n 1 Female 80 years old, with vascular
ulcer since three years non responsive to the
currently available therapies...
11Case n 1 The same woman after autologous
full-thicness skin substitute application
12Case n 2 Female 73 years old, with vascular
ulcer since two years non responsive to the
currently available therapies...
13Case n 2 The same woman after autologous
full-thicness skin substitute application
14Conclusion
- The application of this noval skin sobstitute
provides a promising new therapy for healing
chronic wounds resistant to conventional
therapies. -
- It is also necessary to point out the importance
of suitable cyto-histological and
immunohistochemical studies for evaluating the
correct cell morphology and phenotype.