Bio-Conjugated Polycaprolactone Membranes: A Novel Wound Dressing

• Main Authors: Cai, Elijah Zhengyang, Teo, Erin Yiling, Jing, Lim, Koh, Yun Pei, Qian, Tan Si, Wen, Feng, Lee, James Wai Kit, Hing, Eileen Chor Hoong, Yap, Yan Lin, Lee, Hanjing, Lee, Chuen Neng, Teoh, Swee-Hin, Lim, Jane, Lim, Thiam Chye
• Other Authors: School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: Wounds; Hyaluronic acid; Polycaprolactone; Rabbit; Skin
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/81527; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/40823
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Background: The combination of polycaprolactone and hyaluronic acid creates an ideal environment for wound healing. Hyaluronic acid maintains a moist wound environment and accelerates the in-growth of granulation tissue. Polycaprolactone has excellent mechanical strength, limits inflammation and is biocompatible. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of bio-conjugated polycaprolactone membranes (BPM) as a wound dressing. Methods: 16 New Zealand white rabbits were sedated and local anaesthesia was administered. Two 3.0×3.0 cm full-thickness wounds were created on the dorsum of each rabbit, between the lowest rib and the pelvic bone. The wounds were dressed with either BPM (n=12) or Mepitel (n=12) (control), a polyamide-silicon wound dressing. These were evaluated macroscopically on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th postoperative days for granulation, re-epithelialization, infection, and wound size, and histologically for epidermal and dermal regeneration. Results: Both groups showed a comparable extent of granulation and re-epithelialization. No signs of infection were observed. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in wound size between the two groups. BPM (n=6): 8.33 cm2, 4.90 cm2, 3.12 cm2, 1.84 cm2; Mepitel (n=6): 10.29 cm2, 5.53 cm2, 3.63 cm2, 2.02 cm2; at the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th postoperative days. The extents of epidermal and dermal regeneration were comparable between the two groups. Conclusions: BPM is comparable to Mepitel as a safe and efficacious wound dressing.