The document describes a case series that evaluated the use of a collagen wound matrix on various recalcitrant complex chronic wounds. The study found that 4 patients experienced a decrease in wound size and increase in healthy tissue, with one patient healing completely and another almost healing. In 3 patients, infection developed and treatment was stopped to resolve the infection. The collagen wound matrix showed potential to increase tissue formation and encourage wound closure in patients without infection.

1. EXPERIENCES WITH USING A
COLLAGEN WOUND MATRIX* ON
RECALCITRANT COMPLEX WOUNDS
Sarah Bradbury, Research Nurse
Nicola Ivins, Clinical Trials Manager
Keith Harding, Dean of Clinical Innovation
Wound Healing Research Unit, Cardiff University, UK.
Contact: Sarah Bradbury
+44 2920 746319
bradburyse@cf.ac.uk
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*Proheal™, Medskin Solutions, Germany

2. BACKGROUND
The Extracellular Matrix (ECM) has an important role in wound healing and is the
largest component of the dermal skin layer
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The ECM consists of fibrous structural
proteins, such as collagen and elastin,
and proteoglycans, giving skin it’s
elasticity and tensile strength
It acts as a scaffold for cells, including
growth factors, stimulating fibroblasts
to proliferate and synthesise new
collagen and ECM components
Increased protease levels in chronic wounds are considered to destroy ECM
components, growth factors, proteins and receptors, and thus delay healing
New technology has been aimed at decreasing protease levels and contributing
ECM proteins such as collagen, to encourage wound healing

3. AIMS & METHOD
• A case series was performed to evaluate the use of a collagen wound
matrix on various recalcitrant complex chronic wounds
• Patients with chronic wounds and with multiple
factors affecting healing either local to the wounds
or through systemic disease were included.
• A collagen wound matrix was applied following
debridement and alongside appropriate standard
therapy.
• Dressing changes were performed twice weekly and planimetric,
photographic and clinical data such as condition of wound bed and
surrounding skin and exudate and pain levels were captured weekly.
• Treatment was continued for up to 12 weeks.
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Collagen wound dressing in-situ

4. RESULTS
Ten patients with lower-extremity wounds were evaluated – 1 arterial, 1 mixed
aetiology, 1 rheumatoid, 6 venous and 1 pressure ulcer
Mean wound duration was 40 months (4–144 months)
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VLU Week 0 VLU Week 6
VLU Week 0 VLU Week 12
Four patients experienced a decrease in
wound size with associated increase in
healthy tissue visible on the wound bed
One patient healed and one patient almost
healed while using the matrix, proceeding on
to healing shortly afterwards. Other patients
obtained benefit from using the product with
evidence of decreasing size.
In 3 patients, infection developed and the
treatment was stopped while infection
resolved. Exudate levels were not
problematic and the integrity of surrounding
skin was well-maintained. Use of this
product did not tend to increase pain.

5. CONCLUSION
• For the patients who did not develop an
infection, a common and persistent occurrence
for patients with chronic wounds, the outcomes
from a small group of complex wounds are
encouraging
• The matrix was generally well-tolerated and
exhibited the potential to increase granulation
tissue formation and encourage epithelialisation
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