Clinical application of hair follicle-bearing microskin transplantation in the treatment of subacute wounds
10.3760/cma.j.cn114453-20241230-00341
- VernacularTitle:带毛囊微粒皮移植在亚急性创面治疗中的临床应用
- Author:
Zhongxin SUN
1
;
Danya ZHOU
;
Hanxiao CHENG
;
Jiadong PAN
;
Jufang ZHANG
;
Xin WANG
Author Information
1. 宁波市第六医院整形与修复重建外科,宁波 315040
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Wounds and injuries;
Subacute wounds;
Hair follicle-bearing microskin;
Follicle unit extraction;
Wound healing score
- From:
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery
2025;41(10):1048-1054
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of hair follicle-bearing microskin transplantation as a novel therapeutic approach for subacute wounds.Methods:A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted from June to October 2024, involving patients with subacute wounds treated in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hand Microsurgery at Ningbo No.6 Hospital, and the Medical Aesthetics Center at Hangzhou First People’s Hospital. Participants were randomly assigned via a random number table into two groups: the observation group received hair follicle-bearing microskin transplantation, while the control group received conventional treatment including debridement, dressing changes, antimicrobial therapy, and local pressure relief. The observation endpoint was set at 6 weeks post-treatment. Outcome measures included time to complete wound healing, wound healing score (comprising five items: wound area, appearance, exudate, signs of infection, and condition of surrounding skin; total score 0-15, with a higher score indicating poorer healing), donor site recovery, adverse reactions, and patient satisfaction [rated on a 4-level scale: very satisfied, satisfied, basically satisfied, dissatisfied; satisfaction rate was calculated as (very satisfied + satisfied) cases/total cases×100%]. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 software, with continuous variables expressed as Mean±SD and compared via t-test; enumeration data were expressed as cases (relative numbers) and analyzed using Fisher’s exact test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:Sixteen patients were enrolled (8 per group), including 12 males and 4 females, with a mean age of 46 years (range: 41-71). No significant differences in baseline characteristics (gender, age, wound duration, and wound area) were observed between the two groups (all P>0.05). All procedures in the observation group were completed successfully without intraoperative or short-term postoperative complications. The donor site area was (28.2±11.8) cm 2 (9.0-50.0 cm 2). All wounds in the observation group healed completely within 2-5 weeks post-treatment, with a mean healing time of (26.2±5.0) d. The donor sites healed within two weeks, leaving only pinpoint scars. In contrast, only 4 cases in the control group achieved complete healing within the observation period (6 weeks post-treatment), with a mean healing time of (33.2±5.7) d. The other 4 patients showed no tendency to heal at 6 weeks and progressed to chronic wounds. Before treatment, no significant difference in wound healing scores was found between the two groups (9.6±2.6 vs. 9.1±2.0, t=0.43, P=0.676). At 6 weeks post-treatment, the observation group showed significantly lower wound healing scores than the control group (1.2±1.5 vs. 7.9±3.9, t=-4.48, P=0.001). At 6 weeks post-treatment, patient satisfaction in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (8/8 vs. 4/8, P=0.006). Conclusion:Hair follicle-bearing microskin transplantation demonstrates significant clinical advantages in treating subacute wounds, including accelerated healing, improved aesthetic outcomes, minimal donor site morbidity, and rapid recovery.