Utilizing Dynamic Liquid Crystal Elastomer Dressings to Enhance Early Dermal Wound Closure.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether a novel body temperature-activated liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) bandage with contraction properties can accelerate wound closure in a porcine model.

METHODS

Adult pigs underwent creation of thirty-six 8-mm circular full-thickness dermal wounds. LCE strips were assembled into bandages and applied to half of the wounds, while the remaining wounds received conventional dressings within the same animal. Wound size was measured over 14 days and expressed as percent wound area relative to baseline. A total of 144 wounds were analyzed across 4 pigs (LCE group, n = 72; control group, n = 72).

RESULTS

LCE-treated wounds demonstrated accelerated early reduction in wound area compared with controls (postoperative day [POD] 3: 88.7% vs. 101.5%; POD7: 56.2% vs. 75.0%; POD10: 36.1% vs. 66.7%; all p < 0.001). Although the magnitude of the treatment effect was reduced by POD14, a significant difference remained (44.0% vs. 53.7%; p = 0.001). No adverse effects were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Liquid crystal elastomer materials show promise as a novel approach for enhancing early dermal wound closure. LCE-based dynamic bandages may have future clinical utility as a noninvasive mechanically active wound dressing platform.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.