Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Jun 25;13(6):e6909.
doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000006909. eCollection 2025 Jun.

Evaluation of Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix for Functional and Aesthetic Outcomes in Hand Soft-tissue Defect: A 3-year Retrospective Study

Usama Farghaly Omar  1 , Vinnie Eleanor Lim  2 , Shirong Huang  1 , Ee Xion Tan  3 , Vaikunthan Rajaratnam  1
Affiliations

Evaluation of Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix for Functional and Aesthetic Outcomes in Hand Soft-tissue Defect: A 3-year Retrospective Study

Usama Farghaly Omar et al. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. .

Abstract

Background: Hand soft-tissue defects compromise both function and aesthetics, significantly impacting quality of life. Traditional reconstructive techniques frequently lead to complications, such as donor-site morbidity and suboptimal aesthetic outcomes. The NovoSorb biodegradable temporizing matrix (BTM) may address these challenges by promoting tissue ingrowth. This study evaluates BTM's effectiveness in managing hand soft-tissue defects.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 67 patients who underwent BTM placement for hand soft-tissue defects from July 2020 to May 2024. Data were collected on patients' demographics, wound size, cause of injury, time to tissue integration, postoperative complications, and clinical outcomes. Functional outcomes were assessed using range of motion and grip strength, whereas aesthetic outcomes were evaluated using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). Descriptive and correlational analyses explored the relationship between wound size, return to work, and outcomes.

Results: Among the 67 patients (58 men, 9 women; mean age 43.3 y), 97% achieved successful BTM integration, with only 2 cases of failure due to poor vascularity. The mean range of motion for metacarpophalangeal joints was 76.17 degrees, and grip strength averaged 21.3 kg. Functional outcomes, based on the Finger Injury Outcome Score, were good to excellent in 58.2% of cases. Aesthetic outcomes were generally favorable, with a mean POSAS observer score of 3.58. The correlation between wound size and return to work was weak (r = 0.132).

Conclusions: NovoSorb BTM appears to be a promising alternative for managing complex hand injuries, providing both functional and aesthetic benefits with minimal complications.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the publication fees for this article are being sponsored by Polynovo, the company that manufactures Novosorb BTM. Although Polynovo has provided financial support for the publication, the company had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or in the decision to publish the results. The authors maintain full responsibility for the content and findings presented in this article, and all conclusions are based solely on the scientific evidence derived from the study. None of the authors receive any payments from Polynovo.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Clinical photographs of case 1. A, Defect size 20 × 30 mm, (B) after application of BTM, (C) after removal of the sealing membrane, and (D) after STSG on top of BTM.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Case 2: patient's left index finger injury preoperatively.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Case 2: injury and outcome after coverage with BTM and healing by secondary intention. A, 10 × 20 mm skin and soft-tissue defect. B, After application of BTM, (C) after delamination of sealing membrane, and (D) 24 weeks postoperative.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Post forearm compartment syndrome fasciotomy soft tissue defect: (A) defect size 260 × 80 mm, (B) After application of BTM, (C) after removal of the sealing membrane, (D) 10 weeks postoperative, defect size 150 × 30 cm, and (E) 19 weeks postoperative.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

References

    1. Das De S, Sebastin SJ. Considerations in flap selection for soft tissue defects of the hand. Clin Plast Surg. 2019;46:393–406. - PubMed
    1. Yannascoli SM, Thibaudeau S, Levin LS. Management of soft tissue defects of the hand. J Hand Surg. 2015;40:1237–44. - PubMed
    1. Knightly N, de Blacam C. NovoSorb biodegradable temporizing matrix for reconstruction of multiplanar degloving injury of the upper limb. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2023;11:e4909. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Wagstaff MJD, Schmitt BJ, Coghlan P, et al. A biodegradable polyurethane dermal matrix in the reconstruction of free flap donor sites: a pilot study. Eplasty. 2015;15:e13. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Galati V, Vonthein R, Stang F, et al. Split thickness skin graft versus application of the temporary skin substitute Suprathel in the treatment of deep dermal hand burns: a retrospective cohort study of scar elasticity and perfusion. Int J Burns Trauma. 2021;11:312–320. - PMC - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources