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A 3D-printed Frame Creates a Novel Model to Study Wound Healing Over Exposed Critical Structures in Rodents
Fuat Baris Bengur, MD; Chiaki Komatsu, MD; Benjamin K. Schilling, PhD; Mario G. Solari, MD
University of Pittsburgh
2022-01-15
Presenter: Fuat Baris Bengur, MD
Affidavit:
I certify that the material proposed for presentation in this abstract has not been published in any scientific journal or previously presented at a major meeting.
Director Name: Mario Solari
Author Category: Fellow Plastic Surgery
Presentation Category: Basic Science Research
Abstract Category: General Reconstruction
Background
Soft tissue defects with exposed critical structures usually require reconstruction with well-vascularized tissues. Skin grafts and biological wound matrices are often inadequate to provide durable coverage. Current models to test these materials in a clinically relevant avascular wound bed are not easily reproducible. We aimed to develop an affordable model to demonstrate efficacy of non-vascularized materials over a poorly vascularized wound bed.
Methods
Full-thickness wounds were created on Lewis rats and a silicone sheet was secured to the wound bed. A custom-made 3D-printed wound contraction frame was placed around the wound. Split thickness skin graft or single layer Integra dermal matrix was used to cover wounds. Group with skin graft and without silicone served as control. Rats were followed for 4-weeks with weekly photography. Samples were retrieved at the endpoint for histologic analysis with H&E and Trichrome.
Results
Total wound sizes were constant throughout the duration of the experiment in all groups. Skin graft and Integra that corresponds to the silicone sheet underwent complete necrosis at the 4-week endpoint. The portion of the skin graft without the silicone sheet demonstrated coverage of the underlying fascia and histologically integrated epidermis. Both groups had similar viability, whereas skin graft controls without the silicone sheet demonstrated 100% graft take (p<0.001).
Conclusion
We developed a novel model of rodent wound healing that prevents contracture and isolates the wound environment in a clinically relevant complex wound bed. This cost-effective model will establish a reproducible platform to test more complex bioengineered wound coverage solutions.
