Case Series/Study

(CS-028) Use of Fish Skin Graft in the Treatment of Surgical Dehiscences

Co-Author(s):

Introduction: Surgical site complications often lead to wound dehiscence. Wound complications increase hospital length of stay, which can be cost-prohibitive, and decreases patient care and quality of life. Among the possibilities, Regenerative Medicine is fundamental in augmenting wound healing via faster healing rates and improved tissue quality. Fish skin graft (FSG), due to intact mechanical and biological components and its high content of Omega3 fatty acids, accelerates wound healing and reduces pain and scaring ^1,2. Taken together, FSG has the utility to reduce patient length of stay and increase patient satisfaction.

Methods:

Patients with surgical wound dehiscence in different sites and etiologies (sacrococcygeal, abdominal wall, yarrow region, auricle) who underwent operations were selected for regenerative treatment with FSG. After wound bed preparation of the lesion (surgical or enzymatic debridement), FSG was applied per manufacturer specifications, and a secondary dressing was carried out to control exudate and superinfections. Patients were checked every seven days until recovery or the start of this observation.

Results:

All the lesions showed a rapid resumption of the repair process. Further, the FSG provided definitive healing with tissue formation with characteristics of resistance and elasticity like the native tissue.

Discussion:

FSG, an acellular dermal matrix, in treating complications of surgical lesions has proved to be a valid method for their rapid resolution. Intact mechanical and biological components and architecture closely mimicking human tissue can explain expediated regeneration with the FSG. In our patient population, FSG rapidly regenerated dehisced wounds, improved quality of life, and decreased hospital length of stay.

Trademarked Items: *KerecisTM, Kerecis, Isafjordur, Iceland

References: 1. Magnusson S, Baldursson BT, Kjartansson H, Rolfsson O, Sigurjonsson GF. Regenerative and Antibacterial Properties of Acellular Fish Skin Grafts and Human Amnion/Chorion Membrane: Implications for Tissue Preservation in Combat Casualty Care. Mil Med. 2017 Mar;182(S1):383-388. doi: 10.7205/MILMED-D-16-00142. PMID: 28291503.
2. Wallner, C.; Holtermann, J.; Drysch, M.; Schmidt, S.; Reinkemeier, F.; Wagner, J.M.; Dadras, M.; Sogorski, A.; Houschyar, K.S.; Becerikli, M.; Lehnhardt, M.; Behr, B. The Use of Intact Fish Skin as a Novel Treatment Method for Deep Dermal Burns Following Enzymatic Debridement: A Retrospective Case-Control Study. Eur. Burn J. 2022, 3, 43-55. https://doi.org/10.3390/ebj3010006