Chitosan membrane as a wound‐healing dressing: Characterization and clinical application

TLDR

Chitosan membranes derived from chitin have been evaluated as wound dressings for skin‑graft donor sites in patients. The study compared a 10‑µm, 75 % deacetylated chitosan membrane (mesh and non‑mesh) to the standard Bactigras tulle gras bandage, assessing wound healing, pain, and itching through clinical, histological, and visual analogue scale evaluations. Mesh chitosan membranes accelerated healing, promoted re‑epithelialization and granular layer regeneration, and allowed blood to ooze into gauze, demonstrating their potential as a substitute for conventional dressings. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.; J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 69B: 216–222, 2004.

Abstract

Abstract Chitosan prepared from natural biopolymer chitin and cast into membranes has been tested as wound dressing at the skin‐graft donor site in patients. Bactigras, a commonly used impregnated tulle gras bandage, served as a control. Chitosan membrane, prepared with a 75% degree of deacetylation and a thickness of 10 μm, was used in nonmesh or mesh form. The progress in wound healing was compared by clinical and histological examination. Itching and pain sensitivity of the wound dressed area was scored with the use of a visual analogue scale. Mesh chitosan membrane in contrast to the nonmesh membrane allowed blood to ooze into the surrounding gauze. After 10 days, the chitosan‐dressed area had been healed more promptly as compared with the Bactigras dressed area. Moreover, the chitosan mesh membrane showed a positive effect on the re‐epithelialization and the regeneration of the granular layer. The data confirm that chitosan mesh membrane is a potential substitute for human wound dressing. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 69B: 216–222, 2004