Abstract
Background
NovoSorb® BTM is a synthetic dermal substitute that allows closure and staged reconstruction of a complex wound. This study aims to share our experience of using Novosorb to treat challenging defects and establish the indications for its use.
Methods
A retrospective case series review of patients treated with Novosorb at Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust from October 2020 to June 2022 was performed. Data collected included patient demographics, defect aetiology, wound features, surgical treatment, complications and postoperative outcomes.
Results
Novosorb was used to treat 40 wounds, commonly on the foot and ankle (32%), lower limb (20%), scalp (18%) and hand (16%). Mean size of defects was 1.29% TBSA. Aetiologies were mostly skin cancer (47%) and acute burn injury (29%). Complex wound features were mostly exposed tendon or paratenon (61%) and exposed bone or periosteum (53%). Seventy-four percent treated defects required secondary skin grafting. Mean time to skin grafting was 5.2 weeks after Novosorb application. Mean graft take was 89%. Twenty-one percent defects did not undergo secondary reconstruction but showed adequate epithelialisation with Novosorb alone, 9.2 weeks after application. Complications included infection (13%) and Novosorb non-adherence (13%). Satisfactory cosmetic and functional outcomes were observed.
Conclusions
Novosorb can develop a healthy vascularised tissue bed for secondary skin grafting or spontaneous epithelialisation of a complex wound. It offers a safe and reliable reconstructive option in patients with complex wounds who are unfit for more complex surgery, prefer to avoid reconstruction, have had a failed reconstruction or have a non-graftable wound bed.
Level of Evidence
Level IV, therapeutic study.
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Data Availability
Available on request.
References
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank our patients and colleagues who shared their experience of using this dermal matrix on challenging defects.
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The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Nicholas Cereceda-Monteoliva, Mariam Rela and Ana Borges. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Nicholas Cereceda-Monteoliva and revised for important intellectual content by Baljit Dheansa. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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This is an observational study. The local Research & Ethics Committee has confirmed that no ethical approval is required.
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The authors affirm that human research participants provided informed consent for publication of the images in Figs. 5 and 6. Informed consent was obtained from all other individual participants included in the study, and any other identifiable patient data were removed.
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Cereceda-Monteoliva, N., Rela, M., Borges, A. et al. Early results and initial experience of reconstructing defects with NovoSorb® Biodegradable Temporising Matrix (BTM): a UK case series. Eur J Plast Surg 46, 1331–1338 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-023-02105-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-023-02105-w