Using Autologous Epidermal Skin Micrografts to Improve Healing In Radiation Wounds: A Pilot Study
Massachusetts General Hospital
Summary
Patients undergoing radiation for the treatment of malignancies may suffer from side effects to the skin in the form of radiation dermatitis. This can lead to local wound formation with poor healing. Treatment options for the resulting wound can range from watchful waiting to more aggressive debridement and secondary grafting. Epidermal grafting is a technique in which autologous epidermis is used to cover wounds that are larger than the donor site. Previous studies have demonstrated that this is an effective treatment for different wounds and ulcers but its utility has not yet been evaluated for the treatment of radiation induced injuries. The CelluTome Epidermal Grafting System is a semi automated device that allows easy formation of epidermal Blister. Our study will evaluate the efficacy of epidermal grafts collected using the CelluTome device in the treatment of radiation dermatitis.
Description
Patients participating in this study will undergo the epidermal grafting procedure to a part of their radiation-induced wound. The remaining untreated area will serve as an irradiated control. The donor tissue will be collected from normal skin in the upper thigh area. In addition to their primary screening visit, patients will be followed up closely in a series of 9 study visits. During these sessions, photographs will be taken and patients will be asked to fill out questionnaires.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Status post radiation treatment, with radiation-induced wound. This includes patient with moist desquamation as well as full epidermal necrosis and superficial dermal ulcerations, this wound would otherwise be allowed to heal by secondary intention; * Having suitable areas of treatment: All wounds in the area of interest must be at least 20 cm2 (\~10 cm2 per treatment/control area); * The radiation injury must have a suitable adjacent irradiated control site before initiation of treatment. This will be determined by objective measurements of % wound epithelization, wound…
Interventions
- DeviceCelluTomeTM Epidermal Harvesting System
Autologous epidermal grafts that will be placed at the treatment site
Location
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Wellman Center for PhotomedicineBoston, Massachusetts