Gel heals wounds more quickly


Today, my friend sent me this interesting article about the latest Hydrogel research by Dr. David Becker. Apparently this Nexagon stuff speeds up the healing process from one week to three days (in animal trials). Human clinical trials to come. This sounds very promising! Faster recovery, less scars. Yay!

"Nexagon works by speeding up the process by which cells organise themselves to enable them to grow across and close a wound.
It targets the gap junction - a small channel that allows cells to talk directly to their neighbours."

"I would like to see this product go through clinical development so that patients can take advantage of this revolutionary technology as soon as possible"
Dr David Becker, University College London

[Read the article here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3243633.stm ]

This idea is not brand new, though. In the last years, wound care in hospitals has been updated step by step. Not too long ago it had been common practice to keep wounds dry, but the point view has turned 180 degrees and the med- and vet-nurses were given a much stronger weapon in their fight against their patients' suffering. The efficiency of Hydrogel in sheet- or amorphous form has been proven; it fastens the healing process, reduces the forming of adhesions and therefore diminishes the resulting scar tissue. Products like IntraSite®Gel are used for many types of wounds, i.e. leg ulcers, pressure sores, lacerations and even radiation burns. It's secret of success is the creation of the ideal wound healing environment, by giving moisture to dry environments and absorbing excessive moisture in wetter environments. Exudates can be absorbed, leaving the wound surface clean and moist. It has a good cooling effect and lessens the wound/wound dressing adhesion, protecting the recovering granulating tissue. All that without affecting the surrounding healthy tissue. Because of it's soothing ability is also used for palliative treatment, such as steadily pus-oozing (cancer) cavities, where curative effects on the disease or condition can no longer be expected and only an increase of comfort stands in the foreground.
Only give the location a saline cleanse, pat dry, slap the gel on, cover with non sticky-bandage. Easy. In opposite to a conventional wound dressings that has to be changed twice daily, the gel can remain in the wound up to three days, unless the wound is veeery sloughy. Especially in palliative care this is a big step forward, as the patients should be spared as much discomfort as possible (a nurse at my practical location used to change the dressing too often and got told off, not only because the stuff is expensive, but also because it takes time for the gel to work).


Links
http://www.orgsites.com/ca/acco/PalliativeTreatmentsForAcuteSideEffects.htm (for those who are interested in more products for palliative treatment)
http://www.vcp.monash.edu.au/werg/hydrogel.html (for a general description of hydrogels' use)
http://wound.smith-nephew.com/au/Product.asp?NodeId=555 (a very detailed description for the healthcare professionals between us, from the Smith & Nephew website. Also displays a nasty toe ulcer.)

Posted: Sa - November 8, 2003 at 12:31 Uhr      

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