Alginate wound dressing versus negative pressure wound therapy in the preparation of surgical wounds for a split thickness skin graft: ATEC Trial

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Marina SAMARDZIC

Brothier Laboratory, France

: J Regen Med

Abstract

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Background: Alginate (Algosteril® pure calcium alginate dressing) and Negative Pressure Therapy (NPWT) are frequently used to prepare surgical wounds for a split thickness skin graft (STSG). The ATEC trial compared the healing efficacy, safety and cost of patient care of these two wound treatments. Patients and Methods: 113 patients with surgical wounds treated to heal by secondary intention with alginate or NPWT were included in this randomized non-inferiority trial (17 French centres - Plastic and reconstructive surgery). The primary endpoint was the time to obtain an optimal granulation tissue allowing STSG. The secondary endpoints were the occurrence of adverse events (AEs) and the impact that the use of these two products had on the health insurance budget. Results: Alginate and NPWT achieved optimal granulation tissue in approximately 20 days. No Alginatepatient had an AE while 24% of NPWT patients developed an adverse event. After hospitalization, 94% of Alginate group patients were cared for at home by a private nurse, while 90% of the NPWT group patients were cared for in Rehabilitation centres or at Home Health Care. Therefore, the cost of care per patient for Health Insurance was € 498 with alginate vs. € 2,104 with NPWT. Conclusion: This trial demonstrated that Alginate has a similar healing efficacy, is better tolerated and provides substantial financial savings compared to NPWT. Alginate should be the treatment of choice for this indication.

Biography

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Marina Samardzic received her MD degree from the University of Belgrade. She started her career in the pharmaceutical industry as the Medical Director for Convatec, specialised in the wound care. She participated in the conception of the GCP guidelines for the European Device Directive and has conducted numerous clinical trials in the field of wound healing. Marina is currently the CEO of Brothier, a French pharmaceutical company specialized in plant-based biopolymers intended for haemostasis and tissue repair.