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Collecting And Measuring Wound Exudate Biochemical Mediators In Surgical Wounds
Published on: October 20, 2012
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Wound fluid sampling methods for proteomic studies: A scoping review
Joe Harvey1,2, Kieran T Mellody1, Nicky Cullum2,3
1Centre for Dermatology Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester & Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, UK.
Summary
This review maps wound fluid sampling methods, finding vacuum and drainage techniques most common. Methodological limitations like small sample sizes hinder biomarker discovery for chronic wound healing.
Area of Science:
- Wound healing research
- Biomarker discovery
- Proteomics
Background:
- Effective wound care and treatment development rely on understanding non-healing wounds.
- Accurate wound fluid analysis is crucial, but sampling methods can impact results.
- Standardization of wound fluid collection is needed for reliable protein profiling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and map current methods for collecting wound fluid for protein analysis.
- To identify common techniques and sample sources used in wound fluid research.
- To highlight limitations in current sampling methodologies.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL Plus (May 2020).
- Eligibility screening involved one reviewer with consensus from a second reviewer.
- Included studies were quantitatively mapped and summarized narratively.
Main Results:
- 280 studies were included in this scoping review.
- Vacuum, drainage, or external devices were the most frequent collection methods.
- Surgical wounds were the most common sample source; absorbent materials and occlusive dressings were also utilized.
Conclusions:
- Significant variability exists in wound fluid collection methods.
- Small sample sizes and short collection periods limit biomarker discovery and validation.
- Future research should focus on reproducible methods for larger longitudinal studies.
