Advances in surgical applications of growth factors for wound healing

Abstract

Growth factors have recently gained clinical importance for wound management. Application of recombinant growth factors has been shown to mimic cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation in vivo, allowing for external modulation of the healing process. Perioperative drug delivery systems can enhance the biological activity of these growth factors, which have a very short in vivo half-life after topical administration. Although the basic mechanisms of these growth factors are well understood, most have yet to demonstrate a significant impact in animal studies or small-sized clinical trials. In this review, we emphasized currently approved growth factor therapies, including a sustained release system for growth factors, emerging therapies, and future research possibilities combined with surgical procedures. Approaches seeking to understand wound healing at a systemic level are currently ongoing. However, further research and consideration in surgery will be needed to provide definitive confirmation of the efficacy of growth factor therapies for intractable wounds.

Keywords: Growth factor; Surgical application; Wound healing.

Fig. 1

Pressure ulcer debridement. a This is a highly infected sacral pressure ulcer. Prior to the application of any growth factors, contaminated wounds should be meticulously and completely debrided. b This is the same pressure ulcer after debridement. Debridement of pressure ulcers is a safe and effective technique to make growth factor receptors respond to exogenous topical treatment

Fig. 2

Biological and clinical aspect of growth factors