Dr. Windy Cole, DPM and Alex McKanna, DPM have released The Use of a Novel Suture Retention Device to Prevent Surgical Wound Dehiscence (SWD) case report, where the HEMIGARD™ ARS device was used to augment skin closure and prevent dehiscence.
“The HEMIGARD™ is a simple, inexpensive device that can easily be added to standard of care skin closure techniques to prevent SWD and improve patient outcomes.” - Dr. Cole and Dr. McKanna
Surgical wound dehiscence (SWD) is defined as the separation of the margins of a closed surgical incision that has been made in the skin, with or without exposure or protrusion of underlying tissue, organs, or implants. The re-approximation of skin incisions after invasive surgical interventions can be challenging and SWD is a common complication.
According to the case study, the best course of treatment for SWD is prevention, and the use of the HEMIGARD™ device appears successful, “All surgical incisions were noted to be completely healed by 4 weeks post-op and the HEMIGARD devices were removed.”
In this case report, the addition of the HEMIGARD™ constructs to the post-surgical skin closure on the left foot allowed for the transfer of tension away from the vulnerable incision site during episodes of postop edema, thus preventing incision dehiscence.
The HEMIGARD™ has shown favorable results in Mohs surgery, and this case report suggests that there are similar advantages seen when the device is used in complex skin closures following surgical reconstruction in the foot and ankle. The authors believe that the HEMIGARD is a simple, inexpensive device that can easily be added to standard of care skin closure techniques to prevent SWD and improve patient outcomes.
The SUTUREGARD® ISR Retention Suture Device and the HEMIGARD™ Adhesive Retention Suture Device allow surgeons to initiate approximation of high-tension surgical wounds with suture without damaging the skin. The devices do this by dispersing the pressure of the suture away from the wound edges.
Based in Portland, Oregon, SUTUREGARD® Medical, Inc is a private company offering novel medical devices for surgeons to repair challenging surgical defects more simply. SUTUREGARD® medical devices are intended to provide minimal wound trauma and reduce the healing period after surgery, providing better results for patients.