Influencing the ratio of dermal to epidermal tissue during wound healing by controlling moisture content
Objective
A balanced moist wound environment promotes cell division and cell migration. Furthermore, the effect of different cytokines, chemokines and growth factors is promoted and thus wound healing is supported. Depending on the type of wound, the amount of dermis and epidermis to be regenerated may vary. Accordingly, the wound dressing should be selected.
The aim of the present study was to investigate whether it is possible to influence the ratio of dermis to epidermis through specific regulation of moisture.
Methods
Commercially available dressing materials used in daily hospital routine were used to conduct the study. The biotechnologically produced cellulose epicitehydro with a high water content of at least 95% as isotonic saline solution was used as the primary wound dressing. To control moisture in the primary dressing, either cotton gauze (Gazin), fat gauze (Jellonet), (Aquacell Extra) or an occlusive dressing (Opsite Flexifix) were used as secondary dressings.
In previously conducted in vitro experiments, the evaporation kinetics from epicitehydro alone and in combination with the secondary wound dressings were presented. Further, in the standardized dermatome wound model in pigs, the effects of different evaporation behaviors and thus varying wound moisture were investigated in vivo. Afterwards, the wounds were processed histologically and immunohistochemically. Furthermore, the residual moisture in the primary wound dressings was measured.
Results
The histological results showed that the wounds treated with epicitehydro had varying amounts of new dermis and epidermis, depending on the secondary dressing. The combinations with cotton gauze or the hydrofiber tape had very low residual moisture, a low amount of new dermis, but the highest re-epithelialization rates. Treatment with fat gauze as a secondary dressing showed moderate residual moisture and equally moderate amount of new dermis and epidermis. In comparison, the occlusive dressing had the highest residual moisture, hardly any new epidermis, but up to three times as much new vital dermal tissue.
Conclusion
The results of the present study show that the wound environment, its moisture and evaporation from the wound can be specifically influenced by the use of different secondary dressings. The present findings may be of great benefit to wound treatment and clinical wound management.

**Influencing the ratio of dermal to epidermal tissue during wound healing by controlling moisture content**
**Objective**
A balanced moist wound environment promotes cell division and cell migration. Furthermore, the effect of different cytokines, chemokines and growth factors is promoted and thus wound healing is supported. Depending on the type of wound, the amount of dermis and epidermis to be regenerated may vary. Accordingly, the wound dressing should be selected.
The aim of the present study was to investigate whether it is possible to influence the ratio of dermis to epidermis through specific regulation of moisture.
**Methods**
Commercially available dressing materials used in daily hospital routine were used to conduct the study. The biotechnologically produced cellulose epicitehydro with a high water content of at least 95% as isotonic saline solution was used as the primary wound dressing. To control moisture in the primary dressing, either cotton gauze (Gazin), fat gauze (Jellonet), (Aquacell Extra) or an occlusive dressing (Opsite Flexifix) were used as secondary dressings.
In previously conducted in vitro experiments, the evaporation kinetics from epicitehydro alone and in combination with the secondary wound dressings were presented. Further, in the standardized dermatome wound model in pigs, the effects of different evaporation behaviors and thus varying wound moisture were investigated in vivo. Afterwards, the wounds were processed histologically and immunohistochemically. Furthermore, the residual moisture in the primary wound dressings was measured.
**Results**
The histological results showed that the wounds treated with epicitehydro had varying amounts of new dermis and epidermis, depending on the secondary dressing. The combinations with cotton gauze or the hydrofiber tape had very low residual moisture, a low amount of new dermis, but the highest re-epithelialization rates. Treatment with fat gauze as a secondary dressing showed moderate residual moisture and equally moderate amount of new dermis and epidermis. In comparison, the occlusive dressing had the highest residual moisture, hardly any new epidermis, but up to three times as much new vital dermal tissue.
**Conclusion**
The results of the present study show that the wound environment, its moisture and evaporation from the wound can be specifically influenced by the use of different secondary dressings. The present findings may be of great benefit to wound treatment and clinical wound management.

P.157 Influencing the ratio of dermal to epidermal tissue during wound healing by controlling moisture content

Dear friends and colleagues,

We will be pleased to welcome you in Turin (Italy) for the 19th European Burns Association´s Congress in 2022. Italy is honored to hold the meeting of the European Burns Association for the second time, after Verona in 1995. Turin is easily reachable from everywhere in Europe, either travelling by car, train or choosing flight connections. During the meeting, held in the renewed industrial center of the main Italian historical automotive factory (i.e. Lingotto-FIAT), we will meet international burn specialists, focusing on standards of care, progresses in burn treatment, strategies to face disaster situations, with a special attention to education of younger colleagues. However, in your spare time, you might enjoy the sweet days of Italian late summer, simply wandering in the green parks and gardens along the two rivers which cross the city, or you might decide to discover the numerous art galleries, churches, palaces, libraries, walking across elegant squares and large boulevards, passing through centuries of art and history; finally, you may choose to immerse yourself in some of the most exciting museum experiences, such as the Cinema Museum and the Turin’s Egyptian museum.

Looking forward to seeing you all in Turin for the 19th European Association´s Congress in 2022!
Maurizio Stella, Congress President, Turin Burn Centre