H. Liu, X. Ya-Qing, Y. Cai-Feng, H. Jia-Li, and T. Xian-Yu, "Diabetic Foot Wound Ulcer Management by Laser Therapy: A Meta-Analysis," International Wound Journal 20, no. 10 (2023): 4208-4216, https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14320. The above article, published online on 18 August 2023, in Wiley Online Library (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/), has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editor in Chief, Professor Keith Harding; and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Following an investigation by the publisher, all parties have concluded that this article was accepted solely on the basis of a compromised peer review process. The editors have therefore decided to retract the article. The authors disagree with the retraction.

J. Liu, C. Fu, Z. Chen, and G. Li, "Perineal Wound Complications After Vertical Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap and Mesh Closure Following Abdominoperineal Surgery and Pelvic Exenteration of Anal and Rectal Cancers: A Meta-Analysis," International Wound Journal 20, no. 10 (2023): 3963-3973, https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14284. The above article, published online on 04 August 2023, in Wiley Online Library (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/), has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editor in Chief, Professor Keith Harding; and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Following an investigation by the publisher, all parties have concluded that this article was accepted solely on the basis of a compromised peer review process. In addition, the investigation found unattributed textual overlap between this article and another article by different authors (Buscail, et al. 2021 [https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13040721]). The editors have therefore decided to retract the article. The authors disagree with the retraction.

J. Ding, "Effect of Retrieval Bags in Preventing Surgical Site Wound Infection During Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Liver Cancer Patients: A Meta-Analysis," International Wound Journal 20, no. 10 (2023): 4031-4039, https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14292. The above article, published online on 10 July 2023, in Wiley Online Library (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/), has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editor in Chief, Professor Keith Harding; and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Following an investigation by the publisher, all parties have concluded that this article was accepted solely on the basis of a compromised peer review process. The editors have therefore decided to retract the article. The authors did not respond to our notice regarding the retraction.

W. Zhu, L. Wu, W. Xie, G. Zhang, Y. Gu, Y. Hou, Y. He, "Wound Infection in Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Compared with Retropubic Radical Prostate Surgery: A Meta-Analysis," International Wound Journal 20, no. 9 (2023): 3550-3557, https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14228. The above article, published online on 07 September 2023, in Wiley Online Library (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/), has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editor in Chief, Professor Keith Harding; and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Following an investigation by the publisher, all parties have concluded that this article was accepted solely on the basis of a compromised peer review process. The editors have therefore decided to retract the article. The authors did not respond to our notice regarding the retraction.

S. Wu, Y. Xu, L. Guo, and X. Jiang, "A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Antibacterial Bone Cement in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Skin Wound Infections," International Wound Journal 21, no. 3 (2024): e14487, https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14487. The above article, published online on 16 November 2023, in Wiley Online Library (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/), has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editor in Chief, Professor Keith Harding; and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Following an investigation by the publisher, all parties have concluded that this article was accepted solely on the basis of a compromised peer review process. In addition, the investigation found unattributed textual overlap between this article and multiple other articles by different authors (Huang, et al. 2023 [https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14286]); (Zhu, et al. 2023 [https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14279]); (Dong, et al. 2023 [https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1134318]); and (Liu, et al. 2023 [https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14284]). The editors have therefore decided to retract the article. Authors L. Guo and Y. Xu have acknowledged that they were informed of the article's submission and acceptance but stated they were not involved in the data analysis, writing, submission, or revision of the submitted manuscript. Author Y. Xu has further stated that they have no objection to the retraction of the article. All other authors did not respond to the notice regarding the retraction.

There are two major styles of maggot debridement dressings: (1) confinement dressings that form a cage around the wound, and (2) containment dressings that completely surround the maggots within a sealed porous bag. For producers and clinicians wanting to prepare containment dressings using readily available polyester bags, it is currently difficult to seal these bags without expensive high-temperature plastic welders. This study aimed to identify simple and affordable methods for sealing maggots within polyester net bags. Heat sealing was the most effective and simplest method to seal the polyester net bags, but the high melting point of polyester required industrial grade heat sealers. An inner lining of polyethylene or polypropylene film at the open side of the bag allowed for complete sealing using low-cost hand-actuated impulse heat sealers. This design even facilitated the addition of plastic zipper-locks, allowing secure closure of the bag without electricity or special equipment. Other sealing methods were identified, but most were time-consuming, required practice or not consistently successful. The maggot containment bag designs and closure methods described herein should prove useful to clinicians without access to contained maggots and to maggot producers without the resources to seal polyester containment bags. Clinical trials are expected to follow.

We aimed to compare the scar quality and recovery rate of joint activity for patients with joint-involved burn injuries receiving either artificial dermis (AD) with split-thickness skin graft (STSG) or full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) for reconstruction. The primary outcomes were %skin graft (SG) take. Secondary outcomes included complications such as the infection rate and donor site morbidity, 12-month scar quality evaluated using the Vancouver scar scale (VSS), recovery rate of joint activity and incidence of scar contracture requiring further revision. Twenty-eight patients between 1 August 2021, and 1 August 2023, were enrolled. Twelve patients received AD-STSG while the other 16 patients underwent FTSG for reconstruction. The median %SG take was 95.0% (interquartile range [IQR] 6.3%) and 96.0% (IQR 10.0%) for the AD-STSG and FTSG groups (p = 0.71). The FTSG group had significantly better 12-month scar quality (median VSS 4.0 [IQR 1.3] vs. 6.0 [IQR1.5], p < 0.01) and recovery rate of joint activity (median 82.5% [IQT 15.0%] vs. 70.0% [IQR 7.5%], p < 0.01) compared with AD-STSG group. However, two patients in the FTSG group (12.5%) suffered partial wound dehiscence of the donor site, whereas no patients experienced donor site morbidity in the AD-STSG group (p = 0.49). The incidence of scar contracture requiring further revision was 25.0% (3/12) in the AD-STSG group and 12.5% (2/16) in the FTSG group (p = 0.62). In conclusion, AD-STSG could be an alternative treatment over FTSG for larger joint-involved burn wounds (>200 cm) owing to lesser donor site morbidity with admissible cosmetic outcomes and functional recovery.

Pressure ulcers (PUs) impose a significant economic burden on healthcare systems, affecting patient quality of life and leading to substantial treatment costs. This study presents a cost-of-illness analysis of PU treatment in hospitalized patients in the Czech Republic, based on real-world clinical data. The analysis was conducted using a comprehensive methodology at a Czech university hospital, involving 304 hospitalizations. The study included all hospitalized patients with PUs. Data were collected employing a bottom-up, person-based approach, which refers to the collection and analysis of cost data at the individual patient level. This method captures detailed resource utilization for each patient. The methodology accounted for both systemic and local costs, including materials, medications, caregiver time, and procedures. The study involved 304 hospitalizations, with a mean length of stay of 13 days. The total cost of PU treatment, excluding pharmacotherapy, had a median of €678, while including pharmacotherapy, the median cost rose to €929. Younger patients incurred higher treatment costs. Significant cost variations were observed among different departments. We developed and applied a novel cost model to quantify the expenses associated with PUs, which accurately highlighted the financial burden in the hospital care setting. We present a rigorous methodology for PU cost-of-illness analysis, providing a valuable tool for future research and clinical practice. This comprehensive approach supports the development of targeted interventions to reduce the incidence and severity of PUs, ultimately improving patient care and reducing healthcare costs.

Diabetic foot wounds (DFW) are notoriously difficult to treat owing to poor vascularity, delayed healing and higher rates of infection. Human-derived acellular dermal matrices (ADM) have been used in DFW treatment, utilizing a matrix scaffold for new tissue generation. We investigate the efficacy of a micronized injectable human-derived ADM in the treatment of DFW. We retrospectively recruited 13 patients with diabetic foot wounds. Wounds were adequately debrided, and a micronized injectable ADM was applied. Wound sizes were recorded prior to treatment, at 2 and 4 weeks post-treatment. The mean defect of wounds treated was 19.21 cm. Our results showed a statistically significant reduction in wound size of 45% and 59% at 2 and 4 weeks post-treatment, respectively (p < 0.01). ADM was also effective in infected DFW as 84% of our wounds had positive tissue cultures at the time of application. Micronized injectable ADM has proven to be an effective treatment for DFW. Advantages include a ready-to-use injectable, single-stage treatment, minimal pain, mouldable matrix to fit any wound shape, allows for outpatient treatment and simple wound dressings.

Wound healing is a central physiological process that restores the barrier properties of the skin after injury, comprising close coordination between several cell types (including fibroblasts and macrophages) in the wound bed. The complex mechanisms involved are executed and regulated by an equally complex, reciprocal signalling network involving numerous signalling molecules such as catabolic and anabolic inflammatory mediators (e.g., cytokines, chemokines). In chronic wound environments, the balance in the molecular signatures of inflammatory mediators is usually impaired. Thus, we compared the ability of a collagen-based wound matrix against a synthetic wound matrix to attract fibroblasts and macrophages that deliver these signalling molecules. In particular, the balance between pro- and anti- inflammatory cytokine secretion was assessed. We found that the natural collagen-based matrix was the most efficient adhesive substrate to recruit and activate fibroblasts and macrophages on its surface. These cells secreted a variety of cytokines, and the natural biomaterial exhibited a more balanced secretion of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators than the synthetic comparator. Thus, our study highlights the ability of native collagen matrices to modulate inflammatory mediator signatures in the wound bed, indicating that such devices may be beneficial for wound healing in the clinical setting.

Preventing recurrence of venous leg ulcers can be achieved through strongest tolerated compression and endo-venous ablation surgery, but it is not clear how often this is done in practice. This study explores (1) nurses' awareness of strongest tolerated compression and endo-venous ablation surgery as prophylactic treatments for venous leg ulcer, (2) how often these treatments are offered, and (3) assessment of the barriers and enablers to deploying those treatments using the capabilities, opportunities and motivations model of behaviour change. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among nurses who treat and manage venous leg ulcers across the United Kingdom. Data were analysed descriptively using within-participants ANOVA, within-participants MANOVA and multiple linear regression. We received 96 questionnaire responses. All the respondents reported that they were aware of strongest compression to prevent recurrence while 87.5% reported they were aware of endo-venous ablation surgery for recurrence prevention. Nurses' capabilities, opportunities, and motivations to offer the strongest tolerated compression were significantly greater when offering the strongest compression compared with referring to vascular surgery. Both preventative treatments were associated with marked deficits in opportunities (social and physical) and automatic motivation. Interventions targeted at increasing nurses' opportunities and boosting their motivation are needed to support the delivery of both preventive treatments. Further research is required to gain in-depth understanding of those barriers and enablers to identify candidate behaviour change techniques.

This descriptive, cross-sectional study aimed to identify whether having a chronic leg ulcer (CLU), in addition to diabetes, contributed to frailty in individuals ≥65 years old. It also explored the associations between frailty, pre-frailty and other factors. 125 participants aged ≥65 attending outpatient clinics in Ireland were categorised into three groups: (1) diabetes-only and no CLU, (2) CLU-only and no diabetes, and (3) diabetes and CLU. Frailty status was identified using the Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI) and the Physical Frailty Phenotype (PFP). The mean age was 76.09 ± 7.31. Overall, 90 (72%) had diabetes, and 89 (71.2%) had CLU in the past 6 months. While 124 (99.2%) were frail according to the GFI, 122 (97.6%) were either physically frail (n = 40, 32%) or pre-frail (n = 82, 65.6%) based on the PFP. There was no difference between the three groups regarding general frailty status (p > 0.05). However, being aged ≥75, having CLU and having CLU in addition to diabetes were associated with frailty severity (p < 0.05). Slow gait, inability to go to the toilet and dress/undress independently were the common factors contributing to frailty. Age, comorbidities and CLU were associated with frailty severity. Incorporating multidimensional frailty screening into regular clinic visits for older adults with CLU is recommended.

Y. Hu, A. Yan, and F. Jiang, "Effect of Clindamycin Compared with Ampicillin-Sulbactam as Prophylactic Antibiotics for Wound Infections Following Major Surgery for Head and Neck Cancer: A Meta-Analysis," International Wound Journal 20, no. 10 (2023): 4151-4158, https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14312. The above article, published online on 22 July 2023, in Wiley Online Library (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/), has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editor in Chief, Professor Keith Harding; and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Following an investigation by the publisher, all parties have concluded that this article was accepted solely on the basis of a compromised peer review process. The editors have therefore decided to retract the article. The authors disagree with the retraction.

M. Zhang, H. Feng, Y. Gao, X. Gao, and Z. Ji, "Effect of Topical Antibiotics on the Prevention and Management of Wound Infections: A Meta-Analysis," International Wound Journal 20, no. 10 (2023): 4015-4022, https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14290. The above article, published online on 10 July 2023, in Wiley Online Library (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/), has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editor in Chief, Professor Keith Harding; and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Following an investigation by the publisher, all parties have concluded that this article was accepted solely on the basis of a compromised peer review process. The editors have therefore decided to retract the article. The authors disagree with the retraction.

Good foot care knowledge and behaviour are very important to prevent the occurrence of diabetic foot, but there are few reports on the foot care knowledge and behaviour of older people with diabetes in the community. The purpose of this study was to understand the foot care knowledge and behaviour of older people with type 2 diabetes in Beijing community, and analyse its influencing factors, so as to provide reference for further intervention. We investigated 254 older people with type 2 diabetes in Xinjiekou community, Beijing, including their general information, chronic complications, foot care knowledge and behaviour. The results showed that the average scores of foot care knowledge and behaviour were 73.38 ± 12.25 and 49.70 ± 8.70, respectively. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the factors affecting the total score of foot nursing knowledge of older people with diabetes in community were gender, duration of diabetes and whether they had received foot nursing education (p < 0.05). The factors influencing the total score of foot nursing behaviour were gender, duration of disease, whether they had received foot nursing education and peripheral vascular disease (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the knowledge of foot care of older people with diabetes in community is in the middle level, and the foot care behaviour is not optimistic. Community healthcare workers can improve patients' knowledge of foot care and improve their compliance with foot care behaviour through foot care health education. At the same time, we should pay more attention to men, those with a shorter duration of diabetes and diabetic patients with peripheral vascular disease to reduce the occurrence of diabetic foot.

R. Huang, Z. Hua, L. Li, Y. Zhou, Y. Xu, and T. Zhang, "Effect of Hydrocolloid Dressings in the Management of Different Grades of Pressure Wound Ulcers in Critically Ill Adult Subjects: A Meta-Analysis," International Wound Journal 20, no. 10 (2023): 3981-3989, https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14286. The above article, published online on 11 July 2023, in Wiley Online Library (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/), has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editor in Chief, Professor Keith Harding; and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Following an investigation by the publisher, all parties have concluded that this article was accepted solely on the basis of a compromised peer review process. In addition, the investigation found unattributed textual overlap between this article and another article by different authors (Kamińska, et al. 2020 [https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17217881]). The editors have therefore decided to retract the article. The authors did not respond to our notice regarding the retraction.

M. Zeng, Y. Li, J. Hu, M. Peng, Y. Hu, and C. Zhou, "Effect of Various Repositioning Regimens on Pressure Wound Ulcer Occurrence in At-Risk Adult Persons Without Existing Pressure Wound Ulcers: A Meta-Analysis," International Wound Journal 20, no. 9 (2023): 3776-3785, https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14277. The above article, published online on 28 June 2023, in Wiley Online Library (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/), has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editor in Chief, Professor Keith Harding; and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Following an investigation by the publisher, all parties have concluded that this article was accepted solely on the basis of a compromised peer review process. The editors have therefore decided to retract the article. The authors did not respond to our notice regarding the retraction.

To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses regarding acute skin failure (ASF) and analyse the influencing factors thereof.

Guidance for venous leg ulceration (VLU) recommends compression therapy and early referral for specialist vascular assessment within two weeks. Few patients receive timely assessment and referral. Reasons for this are unclear. The aim of this work was to explore nurses' perceptions of the barriers and facilitators to early assessment of VLU and referral for specialist treatment. One-to-one semi-structured interviews explored experiences caring for and referring patients with VLU to a vascular specialist. Maximum variation sampling and inductive thematic analysis were used. Eighteen nurses participated. Findings suggest junior nurses lack knowledge and confidence to care for VLU and often revert to a 'task-based' approach, exacerbated by staff shortages and limited training. Because VLU occurs in the context of competing conditions and pressures, comprehensive assessments are missed, and the need for referral is not established or prioritised. Supporting patients to self-manage is seen as a possible solution. Nurses reported disjointed pathways between primary and secondary care, compounded by poor MDT collaboration, ineffective communication systems and inadequate data sharing. Consequently, when the need for referral is established, communicating this between healthcare organisations is complex. Organisational and behavioural barriers impact nurses' ability to promote timely referral. Further exploration with patients and other healthcare professionals is needed.