Efficacy of a Bio-electric Dressing in Healing Deep, Partial-thickness Wounds Using a Porcine Model . 


Author: Harding AC, Gil J, Valdes J, Solis M, Davis SC.

Affiliation: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL; email: SDavis@med.miami.edu. 
Conference/Journal: Ostomy Wound Manage.
Date published: 2012 Sep
Other:
 Volume ID: 58   ,  Issue ID: 9   ,  Pages: 50-5   ,  Word Count: 226  
    

Numerous physical modalities have been used in attempts to augment the healing process, including ultrasound, low- energy light therapy, and electrical stimulation (ES). ES has been shown to benefit tissue repair in a variety of wound types, but variations in study designs, administration, and parameters render its application in clinical practice somewhat unconventional. A dressing was designed to generate an electric potential of 0.6 V to 0.7 V in the presence of moisture, thereby delivering a sustained micro-current without the need for an external power source. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of this bio-electric dressing (BED) on deep, partial-thickness wounds using six female specific pathogen-free animals and a well established porcine model for wound healing. Wounds (10 mm x 7 mm x 0.5 mm) were created in paravertebral and thoracic areas of these animals using a specialized electrokeratome and covered with the active polyester BED and a polyurethane film dressing (n = 30) (treatment) or an inactive polyester and film dressing (n = 30). Using an epidermal migration assay, wounds were assessed daily from day 4 through day 8 post-wounding. Differ- ences in the proportion of wounds healed were statistically significant (P <0.001) on days 5 and 6 post-wounding. These results show BED is more effective than a control dressing treatment with moisture-retentive dressings in this animal model. Controlled clinical studies are warranted to elucidate the potential clinical implications of this treatment modality.

PMID: 22933701