JOURNAL OF WOUND CARE, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on wound healing of intralesional epidermal growth factor (iEGF) (Heberprot-p; Hasbiotech, Cuba) and autologous adipose-derived tissue stromal vascular fraction (AD-tSVF) applied in the closure of tissue defects. Method: The patients included in the study were separated into three approximately equal groups: Group 1 with iEGF+AD-tSVF applied; Group 2 with iEGF only applied; and Group 3 with conventional wound care products applied. Granulation tissue was taken from the wound bed before the application of iEGF and AD-tSVF and at intervals thereafter for flow cytometry analysis. Results: Group 1 included 11 patients; Group 2 included 10 patients; and Group 3 included 10 patients. The time to re-epithelialisation was determined as 187.60 +/- 68.78 days in Group 3 patients compared with Group 1 (72.27 +/- 10.33 days) and Group 2 (70.50 +/- 18.02 days) (p<0.001). Following the application of iEGF to the wound bed, an increase was observed in M2 macrophage (CD209+), and M1 macrophage (CD38+) levels. The (CD34+) stem cells obtained from the granulation tissue after the application of AD-tSVF were determined to still be statistically significantly increased in the wound bed on the 21st day. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that the application of iEGF and iEGF+AD-tSVF significantly shortened the wound healing period compared with conventional methods. AD-tSVF stands as an effective option, especially in the patient group with halted or delayed wound healing despite the application of iEGF. Moreover, the significant increase (p<0.001) in the level of M2 macrophages (CD209+), M1 macrophages (CD38+) and stem cells (CD34+) provided by this treatment modality showed that it contributed to wound healing at the cellular level.