Porcine xenograft biosynthetic wound dressings for the management of postoperative Mohs wounds

Dermatol Online J. 2011 Sep 15;17(9):1.

Abstract

Cadaveric allografts and a large variety of other biologic dressings have been reported as being useful for the postoperative management of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) wounds. Although the use of porcine xenografts for the immediate postoperative management of these wounds is known, their use has not been detailed in the dermatology literature. A case series of 15 consecutive Mohs micrographic surgery patients (mean age = 74.9 years, range = 49 to 89 years) with wounds initially managed with porcine xenografts is described. Porcine xenografts were useful in a variety of clinical settings following MMS. These included: (1) wound management when tumor margins were indeterminate pending additional dermatopathology studies and (2) wound management when there are issues such as through and through nasal defects involving the mucosa, large wound depth, exposed cartilage and or bone, or patient medical comorbidities that delay or prevent plans for immediate wound reconstruction. Future controlled studies of biologic dressings are needed to determine which options are best for micrographic surgery wounds. Comparisons should also include the traditional option of second intention healing without biologic dressings.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Biological Dressings*
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mohs Surgery*
  • Postoperative Care
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Wound Healing

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials