A prospective single centre case series on the use of epidermal grafts and adjunct technologies to facilitate wound healing in a vascular surgical patient population

Abstract

Epidermal grafting (EG) using a novel epidermal harvesting system (the CELLUTOME™ System) offers an alternative method to classic surgical approaches of assisted wound closure. Use of this device requires minimal training, leaves a nominal donor site injury, and may be employed in non-operating theatre environments, lending to consideration for use in a high-risk vascular surgical cohort. This single centre series observed the application of EG to lower limb wounds in vascular surgical patients with aetiological barriers to wound healing, including peripheral arterial disease (PAD), venous insufficiency and diabetic neuro-ischaemia. Complete wound healing was established as the primary outcome measure, with time to 100% epithelialisation as a secondary outcome measure. Ten consecutive patients underwent EG via the CELLUTOME™ Epidermal Harvesting System for treatment of wounds related to a variety of vascular surgical aetiologies. Complete wound healing was observed in seven out of ten patients, significant wound surface area reduction was seen in one patient, with the remaining two patients failing to respond, requiring further surgery to facilitate wound healing. These results suggest that EG via the CELLUTOME™ System offers a viable option for assisted wound closure of wounded vascular surgical patients in whom avoidance of general anaesthesia may be desirable.