Therapy of Extensive Chronic Skin Defects after a Traumatic Injury Due to Microbial Contamination Using a Surface Implant Made of a Biocompatible Polycaprolactone-A Pilot Case Study

Polymers (Basel). 2022 Dec 3;14(23):5293. doi: 10.3390/polym14235293.

Abstract

This case study describes the use of additive manufacturing technology combining a biodegradable polymer material, polycaprolactone (PCL), and innovative procedures for creating superficial wound dressing, a scaffold in the therapy of extensive contaminated skin defects caused by a traumatic injury. Chronic and contaminated wounds represent a clinical problem and require intensive wound care. The application of a temporary scaffold-facilitated bridging of the wound edges resulted in faster tissue regeneration and a shorter defect closure time, compared to other conservative and surgical methods used in therapy of chronic wounds. Although this procedure has proven to be an optimal alternative to autologous transplants, further studies with a larger number of patients would be beneficial.

Keywords: additive manufacturing; polycaprolactone; scaffold; skin defect; soft tissue treatment.