Porcine Dermal Collagen Prevents Seroma Formation After Mastectomy and Axillary Dissection in Rats

Surgical Reconstruction of Stage 3 and 4 Pressure Injuries: A Literature Review and Proposed Algorithm from an Interprofessional Working Group

OBJECTIVE

Stage 3 and 4 pressure injuries (PIs) present an enormous societal burden with no clearly defined interventions for surgical reconstruction. The authors sought to assess, via literature review and a reflection/evaluation of their own clinical practice experience (where applicable), the current limitations to the surgical intervention of stage 3 or 4 PIs and propose an algorithm for surgical reconstruction.

METHODS

An interprofessional working group convened to review and assess the scientific literature and propose an algorithm for clinical practice. Data compiled from the literature and a comparison of institutional management were used to develop an algorithm for the surgical reconstruction of stage 3 and 4 PIs with adjunctive use of negative-pressure wound therapy and bioscaffolds.

RESULTS

Surgical reconstruction of PI has relatively high complication rates. The use of negative-pressure wound therapy as adjunctive therapy is beneficial and widespread, leading to reduced dressing change frequency. The evidence for the use of bioscaffolds both in standard wound care and as an adjunct to surgical reconstruction of PI is limited. The proposed algorithm aims to reduce complications typically seen with this patient cohort and improve patient outcomes from surgical intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

The working group has proposed a surgical algorithm for stage 3 and 4 PI reconstruction. The algorithm will be validated and refined through additional clinical research.

Evaluation of Tissue Apposition and Seroma Prevention in an Ovine Model of Surgical Dead Space Using a Novel Air-Purged Vacuum Closure System

BACKGROUND

Postoperative complications associated with seroma formation resulting from surgical dead space continue to present a challenge in modern surgery. There is an unmet need for new technologies that address surgical dead space as well as prevent seroma formation and associated downstream postoperative complications.

METHODS

The novel implantable tissue apposition and drainage system ENIVO was developed and tested in a bilateral ovine external abdominal oblique (EAO) resection model of surgical dead space. The ENIVO system is a portable powered pump and wound interface featuring air-purged vacuum closure (APVC) that delivers a sustained level of vacuum pressure (80 and 100 mmHg) to the treatment site with an intermittent burst of sterile filtered air through the implanted wound interface. Seroma area, seroma volume, and drain migration were assessed at postoperative days 7 and 14, and all animals were euthanized at day 28 with gross assessment of treatment efficacy including the presence of residual seroma and tissue apposition.

RESULTS

The bilateral model created relatively uniform defects of ~120 cm² following excision of ~30 to 50 g of EAO muscle. Median seroma area of ENIVO-treated defects was statistically smaller than standard of care (SoC)-treated defects at days 7 and 14. Median seroma volume at 14 days was significantly reduced in ENIVO-treated defects relative to SoC-treated defects [1.3 (IQR 0.0-79.5) mL and 188.5 (IQR 27.6-342.9) mL, respectively]. At postoperative day 28, 40% (n = 4/10) of SoC defects showed a residual seroma, whereas in contrast, none of the ENIVO-treated defects showed signs of a residual seroma. Median tissue apposition scoring was higher in the ENIVO treatment group [3 (IQR 3-3)] compared with the SoC group [3 (IQR 0-3)].

CONCLUSIONS

The ENIVO system represents a new approach to dead space management and seroma prevention and was shown to outperform a SoC surgical drain in a challenging large defect model of surgical dead space management and seroma prevention.

The Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma to Decrease the Risk of Seroma Formation After Mastectomy and Axillary Dissection

BACKGROUND

Seroma, which is the most common complication after mastectomy and axillary dissection, is the leakage of the lymphovascular fluid into the dead space. It can cause local complications varying from delayed wound healing to infection and skin flap necrosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether platelet-rich plasma (PRP) reduces the risk of seroma formation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 24 Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups of eight rats in each. For the rats in group 1, no additional procedures were carried out. The rats in groups 2 and 3 were applied with 0.25 and 0.5 mL/cm² PRP, respectively, to the operation site. The groups were compared in respect of adhesion scores, histopathologic examination, and tissue seroma volume.

RESULTS

The mean seroma volume was 2.19 ± 0.78 mL in group 1, 1.43 ± 0.35 mL in group 2, and 0.96 ± 0.24 mL in group 3. The seroma volumes of groups 3 and 2 were significantly lower than those in group 1. In the macroscopic assessment the mean general adhesion score was 6 ± 0.75 in group 3. The other general adhesion scores were 5.25 ± 0.70 and 2.12 ± 0.64 in groups 2 and 1, respectively. The adhesion scores of groups 3 and 2 were significantly higher than those of group 1. The mean inflammatory cell score was 0.87 ± 0.83 in group 3, 2.0 ± 0.92 in group 2, and 3.0 ± 0.53 in group 1. There were significantly lower levels of inflammatory cells in group 3 than in the other groups and the group 2 inflammatory cell count was lower than that of group 1. Fibroblast density score was significantly higher in group 3 (2.50 ± 1.06) compared with the other groups. Neovascularization was significantly higher in groups 3 and 2 compared with group 1. The mean neovascularization score was 2.25 ± 1.16 and 2.12 ± 1.12 in groups 2 and 3, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in respect of collagen levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Local application of PRP in rats after experimental mastectomy and axillary dissection was observed to decrease seroma formation and to increase neovascularization and fibroblast density.