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Dealing with Chronic Wounds: Wound Care 101

Caring for and treating patients with chronic wounds can sometimes be frustrating and discouraging. You so desperately want to give them the best wound care possible and see them live their lives to the fullest, but nothing seems to offer a permanent solution. You may be able to improve your results with the BioSIS method.

Using Porcine Small Intestinal Submucosa (SIS) for Wound Care

Researchers say that using porcine SIS to treat chronic wounds has improved healing time and permanency. Due to its makeup, an acellular, biological extracellular matrix (ECM), porcine small intestinal submucosa draws in the host’s cells to attach and multiply. This aids in quicker, more permanent healing.

Growth compounds like collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, and proteoglycans help with the healing process. And it’s not just one cell that’s attracted to the matrix. Porcine SIS attracts numerous cell types for a healthy, diverse layer formation. Since it takes more than growth factors to aid in the healing process, it’s fortunate that SIS has been found to decrease matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) activity. These endogenous proteolytic enzyme levels usually rise with chronic wounds.

Even better, the mechanical properties of multi-layer SIS are stronger and degrade slower as opposed to single-layer SIS. Pertaining to the repair of different kinds of wound types, these two SIS products provide flexibility when choosing a biologically-active ECM.

1-Layer VS. 3-Layer SIS

When choosing between 1-layer SIS and 3-layer SIS, studies show a thicker matrix may be preferable. One study done in diabetic mice showed the 3-layer SIS didn’t require application as frequently as the 1-layer matrix. Where both SIS layers were applied to full-thickness wounds on the day of wounding and three days later, the thicker matrix showed larger sections of unincorporated layers—meaning there was still significant space in the matrix for cells to mitigate.

This is good to know for patients that may have owners who live farther away and travel a greater distance for appointments or cannot afford frequent applications.

More Reasons to Consider the SIS Method

Besides reducing MMP levels, you may also want to consider the SIS method for wound care because it contains proteins that foster cell attachment and growth factor binding sites, sequester matrix-degrading enzymes, and enhance cellular filtration into damaged tissue. In addition to these positive effects, it also supports new blood vessel growth, which is vital to wound recovery.

Overall, small intestinal submucosa has been found to not only increase healing in wounds but also the rate at which the wounds recover compared to the standard of wound care.
If you’d like to further discuss this method of wound care or have any questions, please contact us. We would be happy to speak with you! And if you’d like to read more on topics like this, visit our blog page.

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A Guide to Managing Wounds for Veterinary Patients

Any successful wound management can be achieved through the correct application process and products. Managing wounds for your patients can be made easy in a variety of ways, and we have provided you with a handful of tips to make it smoother and more successful for your practice. 

#1: Wound Irrigation 

This can be effectively determined by the amount of solution or product used on the patient, rather than the kind of solution or product. There is no exact formula or measurement that fits each patient, which is why each patient should be treated uniquely and individually. 

#2: Irrigation Pressure

By applying pressure to the site, bacteria can easily be removed from the wound and not cause more damage to the surrounding tissue. 

#3: Debridement 

If there are any foreign objects located in the wound or in the surrounding areas, assess the necrotic tissue. Evaluate if it should be removed, but—if the tissue viability is questionable—then wait and reassess in the coming days. 

#4: Topical Agents 

Topical creams or our Healion Amniotic Particulate Matrix can be applied at the right time to the wound, and can play an essential role in the healing process. 

#5: Contact Bandages 

After the topical agents or the healion matrix are applied, cover the site with a bandage to ensure a protected healing environment. 

Healing Process 

The ultimate goal of restoration and healing for the epithelial surface can take time, and often has different phases. 

The first phase is the inflammation and debridement phase, which lasts three to five days after the wound has occurred. By draining the site, killing bacteria, getting rid of debris, and applying topical creams, the site will settle down and the healing process can truly start. 

The second phase occurs from day four to 12, generally speaking. During this time, the wound closes, and tissue is regenerated. 

The last phase is the maturation phase, which begins when collagen orients stress lines. This phase doesn’t have a specific timeline due to the different kinds of wounds, with some deeper or more severe than others. The strength of the skin can be healed by about 10% at two weeks, 25% by four weeks, and 80% by a couple of months.

Contact Us

Contact us today to talk with one of our representatives about the ways you can implement successful and productive healing in your veterinary practice. Managing your patients’ wounds is a quintessential aspect of your practice, therefore it should not be neglected. Head to our website today to learn more!

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