Objectives: Clinical evaluation of a fish skin-derived wound product for the treatment of burn wounds.
Introduction: Until today, deep-partial thickness burns are a challenge to manage. Among the broad range of treatment options for wound conditioning and dermal replacement, biological scaffolds such as the recently introduced fish skin-based decellularized matrix has gained popularity. We herein retrospectively report the experience with Kerecis Omega3 in the treatment of severely burned patients at our Burn Center.
Materials / method: In this retrospective case series, 25 patients with full thickness and deep-partial thickness burns treated with d in the years 2020 until 2024 at the Burn Center of the University Hospital of Zurich were evaluated. We assessed the effect of decellularized fish skin matrix on wound healing and the need for further interventions. Furthermore, short-term as well as long-term complications such as infection and contracture were monitored.
Results: Seven of the patients were female, and 18 were male. The mean affected total body surface area was 35% with 15 full thickness burns and 18 deep partial thickness burn areas that were covered by decellularized fish skin matrix. The average abbreviated burn severity index score was 7.5. The primary surgical indication for decellularized fish skin matrix was wound coverage in the acute setting, whereas in five cases chronic wound healing disorders were the reason for application. Eleven patients were treated in the trunk area, and all others were treated on their extremities, mainly the upper ext
Conclusion: Decellularized fish skin matrix is an option for wound conditioning in burn patients with deep-partial thickness and full thickness burns prior to skin grafting. Its value as a dermal substitute demands further investigation including histological workup.
Disclosures
Did you receive any funding to support your research for this TOPIC?
No
Were you provided with any honoraria, payment or other compensation for your work on this study?
No
Do you have any financial relationship with any entity which may closely compete with the medications, materials or instruments covered by your study?
No
Do you own or have you applied for any patents in conjunction with the instruments, medications or materials discussed in your study?
No
This work was not supported by any direct or non direct funding. It is under the author's own responsability
