Bio-Conjugated Polycaprolactone Membranes: A Novel Wound Dressing

Elijah Zhengyang Cai; Erin Yiling Teo; Lim Jing; Yun Pei Koh; Tan Si Qian; Feng Wen; James Wai Kit Lee; Eileen Chor Hoong Hing; Yan Lin Yap; Hanjing Lee; Chuen Neng Lee; Swee-Hin Teoh; Jane Lim; Thiam Chye Lim

doi:10.5999/aps.2014.41.6.638

Archives of Plastic Surgery, Table of Contents

CC BY-NC 4.0 · Arch Plast Surg 2014; 41(06): 638-646
DOI: 10.5999/aps.2014.41.6.638

Original Article

Bio-Conjugated Polycaprolactone Membranes: A Novel Wound Dressing

Elijah Zhengyang Cai

Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore

,

Erin Yiling Teo

Department of Reproductive Medicine, KK Women's and Children Hospital, Singapore

,

Lim Jing

Division of Bioengineering, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

,

Yun Pei Koh

Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore

,

Tan Si Qian

Centre for Biomedical Materials Applications and Technology (BIOMAT), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore

,

Feng Wen

Division of Bioengineering, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

,

James Wai Kit Lee

Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore

,

Eileen Chor Hoong Hing

Department of Surgery, National University of Singapore, Singapore

Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore

,

Yan Lin Yap

Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore

,

Hanjing Lee

Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore

,

Chuen Neng Lee

Department of Surgery, National University of Singapore, Singapore

Division of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore

,

Swee-Hin Teoh

Division of Bioengineering, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

,

Jane 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 Lim

Department of Surgery, National University of Singapore, Singapore

Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

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 cm², 4.90 cm², 3.12 cm², 1.84 cm²; Mepitel (n=6): 10.29 cm², 5.53 cm², 3.63 cm², 2.02 cm²; 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.

Keywords

Skin - Wounds - Hyaluronic acid - Polycaprolactone - Rabbit

Full Text

References

References
1 Pontieri-Lewis V. Principles for selecting the right wound dressing. Medsurg Nurs 1999; 8: 267-270
2 Teo EY, Ong SY, Chong MS. et al. Polycaprolactone-based fused deposition modeled mesh for delivery of antibacterial agents to infected wounds. Biomaterials 2011; 32: 279-287
3 Hutmacher DW. Scaffolds in tissue engineering bone and cartilage. Biomaterials 2000; 21: 2529-2543
4 Chen WY, Abatangelo G. Functions of hyaluronan in wound repair. Wound Repair Regen 1999; 7: 79-89
5 Tiaw KS, Teoh SH, Chen R. et al. Processing methods of ultrathin poly(epsilon-caprolactone) films for tissue engineering applications. Biomacromolecules 2007; 8: 807-816
6 Chong MS, Chan J, Choolani M. et al. Development of cell-selective films for layered co-culturing of vascular progenitor cells. Biomaterials 2009; 30: 2241-2251
7 Ng KW, Achuth HN, Moochhala S. et al. In vivo evaluation of an ultra-thin polycaprolactone film as a wound dressing. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed 2007; 18: 925-938
8 Gopinath D, Kumar MS, Selvaraj D. et al. Pexiganan-incorporated collagen matrices for infected wound-healing processes in rat. J Biomed Mater Res A 2005; 73: 320-331
9 Noorjahan SE, Sastry TP. An in vivo study of hydrogels based on physiologically clotted fibrin-gelatin composites as wound-dressing materials. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2004; 71: 305-312
10 Jones V, Harding K. Moist wound healing. In: Krasner DL, Rodeheaver GT, Sibbald RG. Chronic wound care: a clinical source book for healthcare professionals. Wayne, PA: HMP Communications; 2001: 245-252
11 Hanna JR, Giacopelli JA. A review of wound healing and wound dressing products. J Foot Ankle Surg 1997; 36: 2-14
12 White R, Morris C. Mepitel: a non-adherent wound dressing with Safetac technology. Br J Nurs 2009; 18: 58-64
13 Campanella SD, Rapley P, Ramelet AS. A randomised controlled pilot study comparing Mepitel((R)) and SurfaSoft ((R)) on paediatric donor sites treated with Recell((R)). Burns 2011; 37: 1334-1342
14 Deved M, Sengezer M, Kopal C. Use of Mepitel on grafted areas in burn patients. Ann Burns Fire Disasters 1999; 12: 103-106
15 Longaker MT, Chiu ES, Adzick NS. et al. Studies in fetal wound healing. V. A prolonged presence of hyaluronic acid characterizes fetal wound fluid. Ann Surg 1991; 213: 292-296
16 Toole BP, Knudson CB, Munaim SI. et al. Hyaluronate-cell interactions and regulation of hyaluronate synthesis during embryonic limb development. In: Abatangelo C. Cutaneous development, aging and repair. Padova: Liviana Press; 1988: 138-145
17 Campbell BG. Current concepts and materials in wound bandaging. Proc North Am Vet Conf 2004; 18: 1217-1219
18 McCarty MF. Glucosamine for wound healing. Med Hypotheses 1996; 47: 273-275
19 Hutmacher DW. Scaffold design and fabrication technologies for engineering tissues--state of the art and future perspectives. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed 2001; 12: 107-124
20 White R, Cutting KF. Modern exudate management: a review of wound treatments [Internet]. World Wide Wounds; 2001. [cited 2014 Sep 17]. Available from: http://www.worldwidewounds.com/2006/september/White/Modern-Exudate-Mgt.html
21 World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS). Principles of best practice: Wound exudate and the role of dressings. A consensus document. London: MEP Ltd.; 2007
22 Woodruff MA, Hutmacher DW. The return of a forgotten polymer-Polycaprolactone in the 21st century. Prog Polym Sci 2010; 35: 1217-1256
23 Chong BF, Blank LM, McLaughlin R. et al. Microbial hyaluronic acid production. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2005; 66: 341-351
24 Ford DA, Koehler SH. A creative process for reinforcing aseptic technique practices. AORN J 2001; 73: 446-450
25 Woodruff MA, Hutmacher DW. The return of a forgotten polymer-Polycaprolactone in the 21st century. Progress in Polymer Science 2010; 35: 1217-1256