Title : Acellular fish skin grafts in wound reepithelisation
Abstract:
Introduction: This synthesis reviews recent research on the efficacy of acellular fish skin grafts (FSG) and Nile Tilapia Fish Skin (NTFS) in promoting reepithelialisation and reducing wound surface area in various types of wounds, including chronic diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), venous leg ulcers (VLUs), burn wounds, and thin-skin graft donor sites.
Material and Methods: Literature search by accessing online databases. The search, focusing on the past ten years, aimed to identify studies related to wound healing and the use of acellular fish dermal matrix (AFDM) for tissue regeneration. The selection process adhered to specific eligibility criteria, prioritising studies that reported on reepithelialisation duration and wound surface area reduction using AFDM.
Results: Findings consistently showed FSG's superior efficacy in improving wound healing, with significant increases in closure rates and reductions in reepithelialisation times across different wound types. Outcomes measured included wound closure rates, time to complete reepithelialisation, and wound surface area reduction, with follow-up periods ranging from six to twelve weeks for clinical trials and up to 28 days for preclinical studies.
Conclusion: Acellular fish skin grafts offer a promising wound management alternative, providing significant healing speed and efficacy benefits, likely due to their omega-3-rich composition. Despite their potential, variations in effectiveness underscore the need for further research to fully understand FSG's healing mechanisms and optimise their clinical application. This suggests integrating FSGs into broader clinical practice while acknowledging the necessity for ongoing investigation.
