SAWC Fall 2011
Rio All Suite Hotel and Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
October 13–15, 2011

The third annual SAWC Fall was another great success with more than 1100 clinicians and 85 exhibiting companies in attendance. In case you weren’t able to attend, we’ve spotlighted a few product and partnership announcements that occurred at the meeting.

  Abstract: Background. Recent studies have reported on the use of adipose derived regenerative cells (ADRC) as a therapeutic method in wound healing. The present study introduces the first application of successful ADRC therapy for a diabetic foot wound. Case Report. A 63-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus complaining of an opened necrotic wound in the plantar aspect of the right foot was admitted by another surgeon for debridement surgery. Despite multiple efforts, a Chopart’s amputation was performed to salvage rest of the foot. In the early postoperative period, a 2 cm x 2 cm circular ulcer at the heel region and a 1 cm x 2 cm unhealed wound at the previous incision site had formed. Due to resistant diabetic ulcers, the patient was introduced to ARDC therapy (informed consent was obtained). The Celusion System™ (Cytori Therapeutics, Inc, San Diego, CA) was used for autologous generation of ARDC cells—1 cc of the ARDC was mixed with 40 cc of fat graft. Afterward, the ARDC-enriched fat graft was introduced to the heel and plantar region to restore the deficient glabrous tissue. The remaining 4 cc of ARDC were equally injected in a radial fashion to the wound edges. Results. In the postoperative follow-up, accelerated wound healing was observed and the ulcers were completely healed after 4 weeks of ARDC treatment. Conclusion. ARDC therapy has the potential to be a promising new therapeutic modality for treating diabetic wounds.

Index: WOUNDS 2011;23(9):E27–E33

  Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a life-threatening soft tissue infection caused by toxin-producing bacteria. It is a serious, alarming condition for the surgeons because of its propensity for extensive soft tissue destruction and high mortality rate. The infection can be associated with severe systemic toxicity and can rapidly progress to death unless recognized and treated promptly. Fortunately, this type of dermal gangrene is relatively rare in modern surgical practice. Presumably, antibiotics have helped to reduce the incidence of the disease. There is a five-fold increase in the incidence of the disease over the last few decades, which is largely unexplained, although increased longevity within the overall population and an increase in the number of immunosuppressed individuals may be two of the main causes.^1,2

Index: WOUNDS 2011;23(8):E21–E26.

  Abstract: Various methods have been developed to treat wounds produced from a number of causes. Unavoidable limitations associated with each treatment have encouraged researchers to explore new ways to close wounds rapidly and effectively, while simultaneously obtaining satisfactory outcomes. Produced through interdisciplinary research, dermal substitutes provide a potential solution for solving this problem. Here, we report the case of an open fracture wound accompanied by a skin defect caused by a crush injury of the left foot in which satisfactory results were ultimately achieved. This case is of special interest due to the rarity of the treatment. This case demonstrates that satisfactory results can be obtained in the treatment of a skin defect wound caused by contusion or crush injury associated with fracture using a PELNAC dermal substitute.

  Abstract: A Chow Chow dog had completely chewed off her left metacarpal paw pad after a surgical removal of a piece of glass 4 years prior to the first appointment. The wound had remained open and non-healing during this time. Various standard medical procedures to heal the wound had failed. After living with this open wound for 4 years, the dog’s owner consulted our clinic to treat the wound using extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT). After three preliminary and two follow up ESWT sessions the wound was closed and the metacarpal pad was fully regenerated.

Abstract: A 23-kg, 3-year-old spayed female boxer was admitted for evaluation of a traumatic partial amputation of the fourth digit of the right front limb. The injuries were self-induced by the dog trapping the legs under a metallic fence. The dog had multiple lacerations on both front limbs and a partial amputation of the right front fourth digit. The dog otherwise appeared to be healthy. Methods and Results. The multiple lacerations were treated with repeated wet-to-dry bandages followed by non-adherent bandages on the established granulation bed.

  In February 2011, sanofi-aventis (Bridgewater, NJ) and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Toronto, Canada) entered into a research agreement and licensing option for Vasculotide, an investigational compound to treat chronic wounds, including neuropathic (i.e., neuroischemic) diabetic foot ulcers. The agreement underscores Sanofi-aventis’ burgeoning interest in the wound care sector and its intent to translate innovative prototypes into therapies.

SANUWAVE is an emerging leader in the development and commercialization of noninvasive, biological response activating devices in the regenerative medicine area for the repair and regeneration of tissue, musculoskeletal, and vascular structures. SANUWAVE’s portfolio of products and product candidates activate biologic signaling and angiogenic responses, including revascularization and microcirculatory improvement, helping restore the body's normal healing processes and regeneration. In this month’s CEO Spotlight, meet SANUWAVE’s CEO, Chris Cashman, who provides a look inside the day in the life of a C-Level Executive as well as an in-depth interview about the company’s perpetual success and what opportunities are on the horizon.

Abstract: Ranunculus arvensis is a wild growing plant, used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases. Very few chemical burn cases resulting from R arvensis are reported in the literature. We present a patient who applied the plant R arvensis externally to his left leg attempting to alleviate leg pain, and suffered chemical burns as a consequence. Treatment was started with paraffin-impregnated gauze dressings containing chlorhexidine. The patient’s lesions began to recover in 4–5 days, and resolved within 14 days.

Introduction

Abstract: The wound care specialist is often confronted with wounds previously treated with many different products that remain resistant to closure. This report describes the use of a new antimicrobial dressing (TheraBond 3D, Choice Therapeutics, Wrentham, MA) to close a perineal wound in an area that had been radiated prior to abdominal-perineal resection to treat colon cancer. The rapid healing achieved warrants further investigation of this novel dressing.

Case Report