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Abstract
Chronic wounds in patients with multiple systemic factors present a significant clinical challenge for clinicians. Oasis Wound Dressing is derived from porcine small intestine which, when placed in a non-infected wound, stimulates new tissue and an absorbable, natural template for the growth of new tissue. Emerging evidence suggests that it is beneficial for patients with chronic, non-healing wounds complicated by multiple systemic factors.
Many novel biological wound technologies are being developed based on human and animal tissue designed to support healing in acute and chronic wounds (e.g. Dermagraft, Smith & Nephew; Apligraf, Novartis; and Vivaderm, ConvaTec).
However, in the past, complications have arisen regarding immunological rejection and the risk of disease or infection transfer. Problems interfering with the successful use of such dressings include the extremes of poor structural integrity, lack of conformability and flexibility (Parmenter, 1999) and, in the early days of product development, inadequate sterilization techniques.
The recent development of Oasis Wound Dressing (manufactured by Cook) is said to overcome these difficulties and has an excellent safety and effectiveness record in non-clinical studies of wound healing (Badylak et al, 1989; Lantz et al, 1993; Knapp et al, 1994; Badylak et al, 1995; Prevel et al, 1995).
OASIS(R) WOUND DRESSING Oasis(R) Wound Dressing is a naturally occurring extracellular matrix derived from a portion of porcine small intestine submucosa and has been used successfully in the management of various tissue defects in dogs, rats, rabbits, monkeys and horses (Badylack et al, 1995; Prevel et al, 1995).
Oasis(R) Wound Dressing provides an absorbable scaffold or template for the ingrowth of new tissue. The material degrades as the host remodels the area of tissue with new capillaries, collagen and nutrients. Although Oasis(R) Wound Dressing stimulates new tissue, it will not replace an organ.
The desirable characteristics of the product include limited porosity (that reduces wound surface dehydration), sufficient adherence to the wound bed without sticking to surrounding skin and reasonable cost (Parmenter, 1999).
As a result of its structure and characteristics, Oasis(R) Wound Dressing is said to have excellent protective properties and has the ability to act as a natural template for healing. The product is freeze-dried and looks like parchment paper. It is supplied by Cook as flat (approximately 0.15 mm), fenestrated sheets...