DOI: 10.1097/gox.0000000000007885 ISSN: 2169-7574
Pilot Study: DermiSphere: A Novel Hydrogel with Collagen Microspheres Dermal Regeneration Template
Eric S. Clayman, Fatemeh Mirzamohammadi, Jenna Daddario, Ian L. Valerio
Background:
Dermal regeneration templates (DRTs) have become an addition to the reconstructive ladder to treat various wound types. Recently, a novel hydrogel DRT (
h
DRT) combining a collagen-based hydrogel scaffold with embedded collagen microspheres (DermiSphere) has been introduced that permits rapid integration for early second-stage skin grafting.
Methods:
Four patients had DermiSphere
h
DRT applied to oncologic facial defects with plans for 2-stage reconstruction after definitive margin clearance. These defects consisted of 2 nasal, 1 forehead/glabellar, and 1 cheek. Applications involved single-layer versus 2-layer techniques followed by second-stage skin grafting.
Results:
This early pilot series indicated that DermiSphere
h
DRT provided for rapid vascularization to support early second-stage skin grafting. The primary defect sizes at time of
h
DRT application ranged from 2.1 × 2.2 cm (4.6 cm2) to 6 × 6 cm (36 cm
2
). Time to second-stage skin grafting ranged 7–18 days (average 11.5 d). In all applications of
h
DRT, the size and depth of the soft tissue defects were observed to have favorable wound contraction with a vascularized tissue bed prepared by application of the
h
DRT.
Conclusions:
This pilot study showed rapid
h
DRT vascularization permitting successful skin grafting in a relatively condensed timeframe. Additionally, layering of the
h
DRT was possible without significant delay to definitive skin grafting. In 1 case, immediate skin grafting at the time of
h
DRT placement was able to be achieved. Although some degree of wound contraction occurred in all cases, this contraction resulted in limited distortion of the adjacent tissues with acceptable functional and aesthetic results that continued to improve over time.