Abstract
Introduction
During periods of delayed burn treatment, cells within the eschar leach toxic and immunomodulatory metabolites that can profoundly impact neighboring tissue. Therefore, to reduce the burn-related morbidities and mortalities that are the result of delayed surgical interventions, electrospinning was utilized to generate a novel cerium (III) nitrate (Ce(III)N) dressing. Previously published work has demonstrated that topical Ce(III)N application changes the eschar morphology, and that tissue beneath the treated eschar was generally healthy and had a high rate of graft acceptance.
Methods
Ce(III)N was dissolved with polyethylene oxide and spun onto a grounded rotating mandrel. The uni-axially spun mesh was compared to a co-axially electrospun dressing that contained a Ce(III)N core. Dressings were evaluated for topography/morphology, porosity and oxygen permeation using scanning electron microscopy, helium pycnometry, and a gas exchange chamber, respectively. Ce(III)N release rates were evaluated, as well as 60-day storage stability.
Results
All electrospun dressings contained functional Ce(III)N, with the co-axially spun dressing containing three times the amount of Ce(III)N as the traditionally spun dressing. Uni-axially and co-axially spun nanofibers had diameters of 1487±560 nm and 1071±147 nm, and porosities of 83.9% and 74.1%, respectively. Scaffolds released the majority of Ce(III)N within the first hour of wetting.
Conclusions
All dressings were capable of a burst of Ce(III)N release and maintained stability when stored at room temperature for 60 days.
Applicability of Research to Practice
Despite advancement in protective equipment worn by military personnel, the incidence of thermal injury is expected to rise in future conflicts. There are no burn wound dressings that can mitigate the pathophysiological processes associated with delayed burn wound treatment.
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