Millions of people suffer from chronic wounds and they ask for specialised care. A lot of advancements have led to innovations in the recent decades to heal chronic wounds. One of the most effective solutions has been ‘wound graft.’
In this blog post today, we will explore more about wound grafts and how advanced wound care products help patients heal.
When a wound fails to proceed through the normal phases of healing, it becomes ‘chronic.’
Poor blood flow, infection, diabetes, and compromised immune function can make these wounds worse. And, this is exactly where patients require proper chronic wound treatment, otherwise severe complications including infection, hospitalization, or even amputation are likely to occur.
A wound graft is a medical material that is applied to a chronic (complex) wound to offer healing. It does not only work as a protective covering but also acts as an active healing agent. It creates a layer (similar to the skin’s structure) and eventually helps the body to heal naturally.
Often made from human tissue, animal tissue, and bioengineered materials, wound grafts are known by different names including allografts and xenografts respectively.
Depending on the wound type, patient requirements, and clinical goals, every type of graft offers specific applications.
Wound crafts offer the following:
Graft is designed to work as a matrix, supporting cellular migration and new tissue formation.
It also works as a barrier against bacteria and environmental contaminants.
Many grafts contain growth factors or cellular components. These help activate the body’s healing mechanisms.
Grafts are also responsible for regulating the wound environment. They keep it moist and support tissue regeneration while also preventing maceration.
A wound healing membrane is simply a type of wound graft made from synthetic or natural polymers. It delivers a controlled, healing-friendly environment to the wound area.
They offer barrier protection, moisture retention, oxygen permeability, anti-inflammatory support, and cellular guidance for tissue regrowth.
They treat partial-thickness wounds and superficial burns primarily. However, they can also work for chronic ulcers.
Wound healing is a long-term, complex process. Hence, it requires medical intervention in the inflammatory phase.
Here is how the advanced wound care products speed up the healing mechanism of the human body:
Grafts reduce prolonged inflammation as they cover exposed tissue. As a result, it minimizes trauma and reduces bacterial colonization.
Wound grafts support the formation of new blood vessels (called angiogenesis), fibroblast activity, and collagen production. All these simultaneously help for new tissue development.
The wound-healing membrane organizes collagen deposition, reduces scarring, and promotes stronger tissues in the affected area.
Each type of wound membrane and graft serves unique benefits.
These are taken from the patient’s own skin and have high compatibility and low rejection risk. That’s why they require a secondary wound site.
Allografts are useful for large wounds as they may be temporary or permanent.
Xenografts, derived from animals, are readily available and effective for temporary coverage.
These are made from collagen, polyurethane, or other biocompatible materials. Having many growth factors and cellular components, they are often used in outpatient settings due to ease of use.
All these lie under the umbrella of advanced wound care product. Based on the wound’s complexity and the medical profile of the patient, they are carefully selected.
Wound grafts are used when a wound fails to heal with standard treatment, there is extensive tissue loss, infection risk is very high, and healing needs to be accelerated (otherwise other health risks might develop).
They are especially effective for diabetic foot ulcers, burn wounds, traumatic injuries, radiation-damaged tissue, post-surgical incisions, etc.
Traditional methods including gauze and topical creams do not work sufficiently well for complex wounds. That’s why they require advanced wound products. Being the smartest solution for faster healing, it reduces infection rate along with offering better comfort to the patients. Not only this, but the individuals also do not require a lot of dressing changes and can avail premium wound care solutions at lower long-term healthcare costs.
In the beginning, the costs of wound grafts and membranes might appear costly. However, with a lot of benefits of no need for surgical intervention and less complications, they are a worthy investment in the long run.
One can also cover many wound grafts by insurance, particularly for non-healing wounds. However, for detailed information on coverage options, consult healthcare providers and insurance plans.
When chronic wounds become uncomfortable, they can cause serious health problems. But there is a solution to them: wound care products including grafts and membranes. Not just coverings, but for optimal healing.