A Novel Concept for Treating Large Soft Tissue Defects After Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection of the Back

Conclusion

To conclude, intact fish skin should be considered a safe and efficient treatment modality to achieve a viable wound bed, as well as wound contraction and ultimately autograft, in patients with soft tissue defects caused by necrotizing fasciitis.

As demonstrated in published clinical trials, full-thickness acute wounds show faster healing time when treated with FSGs compared to those treated with porcine tissue.4-6

Research studies involving animals have demonstrated an inhibitive effect on bacterial growth due to the Omega-3 fatty acids in the FSG; also shown was improvement of angiogenesis, epithelial cell migration, as well as accelerated blood perfusion in the wound bed.7-8

By the incorporation of aggressive wound debridement and/ or preparation and application of NPWT, when combined with standard practice in wound management aiming for reduction of bioburden and infection, and appropriate offloading, healing time in these wounds can be increased significantly compared to conventional wound care.9

References

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