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Case Series/Study
Chronic wounds pose a significant global healthcare challenge, affecting millions of patients and straining resources1. Optimal care for intricate surgical wounds, burns, and challenging-to-heal injuries is essential, necessitating advanced and specialized treatments. Placental-derived allografts have been extensively studied for their benefits2. This study explores the potential of skin substitutes using mobile multispectral near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) imaging, with a focus on the placental extracellular matrix grafts.
Methods:
An FDA cleared class II medical device, handheld mobile multispectral near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and thermal imaging device,** was employed for measuring temperature and tissue oximetry (StO2). The case series evaluates the effectiveness of an FDA-cleared skin substitute product**. Patients were longitudinally tracked, and data, including demographics, clinical characteristics, and NIRS findings, were collected and analyzed.
Results:
This case series evaluates the effectiveness of an FDA-cleared skin substitute product** on the healing rate of chronic non-healing wounds. Thermal imaging added valuable insights, detecting early-stage inflammatory reactions via temperature elevation at the wound site. Pre-operative assessments of the wound area were also conducted to determine blood flow adequacy in the wound bed, serving as an investigational parameter for assessing the viability of accepting the skin substitute.
Discussion: Placental-derived grafts signify a groundbreaking advancement in the treatment of acute, traumatic, and challenging wounds. These grafts demonstrate versatility in addressing traumatic lacerations, dehisced incisional wounds, pressure and venous ulcers, post-Mohs surgical wounds, post-surgical incisions, and diabetic ulcers. The integration of NIRS played a critical role in accurately quantifying the healing trajectory, assessing progress, and pinpointing complications post-application of skin substitutes. This pivotal tool provides healthcare professionals with invaluable insights. In summary, this case series underscores the therapeutic potential of placental-derived grafts in wound management, with NIRS acting as a crucial instrument for precise monitoring and assessment, thereby contributing valuable insights to the diagnosis and treatment strategies for chronic wounds.