Mark S. Granick, MD, Guest Editor

During the past decade I have had an opportunity to work with plastic surgeons throughout the world and have been part of an international team training surgeons throughout the world in wound technology. Many of the international surgeons have access to technologic advances prior to the introduction of these developments in the United States. I have assembled a group of authors for this edition who have international reputations for harnessing exciting new technologies.

The first article discusses the impact of evidence-based medicine (EBM) on the interpretation of data in the wound discipline. Debridement is a fundamental technique for wound surgery, yet solid EBM is somewhat lacking. The article on microbial barrier protection addresses the hot topic areas of biofilm management and the use of new antimicrobial agents and dressings. Clinical use of growth factors in modulating wound response is another area of exciting translational research reviewed in article 3 by the leaders of this field. Regenerative materials are now an everyday item for the wound surgeon, yet many surgeons are not familiar with the spectrum of available technologies and how to incorporate them into practical use. Venous leg ulcers continue to plague millions of people, but the pathway to improvement lies in the proper use of available techniques as well as the incorporation of new technologies. Stem cells are an exciting area of wound research and the earliest data on the clinical use of stem cells is coming out of Japan. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is a technology that has been around for years, but due to poor initial research, overuse, and abuse, it has been largely misunderstood. Article 7 integrates the proper use of HBO into the comprehensive surgical care of the wound patient. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has seen the growth of industrial competitors in the last few years. It is a widely used technique. Article 8 discusses the use and application of NPWT to maximize efficacy and reduce cost. The final two articles deal with the amazing results that specialized plastic surgical teams can accomplish using very sophisticated surgical technique and technology.

My hope is that this publication will further solidify the critical role of Plastic Surgery in wound management. I also hope to encourage plastic surgeons throughout the world to continue their excellent work in this important area of medicine and surgery.