Topical Interventions for Wound Healing in Surgical and Obstetric Contexts

Topical interventions constitute a cornerstone in the management of both surgical incisions and obstetric wounds, aiming to accelerate tissue repair, reduce the risk of infection and improve patient comfort. In surgical settings, advanced biomaterial dressings such as polymer-based patches, hydrogels and nanocomposite films have been engineered to deliver bioactive agents in a controlled manner. These dressings may incorporate natural extracts, antimicrobial compounds or growth-promoting molecules to modulate inflammation, support cell proliferation and encourage angiogenesis. In obstetric practice, episiotomy and cesarean wounds present unique challenges: interventions must be gentle, safe for both mother and infant, and compatible with the perineal or abdominal anatomy. Herbal creams, essential-oil formulations and bioadhesive matrices have been trialled to soothe pain, reduce oedema and hasten epithelial closure. Across both contexts, topical systems that combine mechanical resilience with sustained release of anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial constituents have underpinned recent advances. The global burden of surgical site infections and perineal discomfort after childbirth drives the translation of novel dressings into clinical care, with an emphasis on cost-effectiveness, ease of application and compatibility with standard nursing protocols.

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Topical Interventions for Wound Healing in Surgical and Obstetric Contexts publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in topical interventions for wound healing in surgical and obstetric contexts across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Episiotomy: A surgical incision of the perineum made to enlarge the vaginal opening during childbirth, requiring careful wound management to minimise pain and infection.

Keratinocyte: The predominant cell type in the epidermis responsible for forming the barrier layer of the skin; its proliferation is crucial for re-epithelialisation.

Bioadhesive film: A polymeric dressing designed to adhere to moist tissue, permitting sustained release of therapeutic agents while maintaining a protective interface.

Proanthocyanidin: A class of phenolic compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, often derived from plant sources and used to promote wound repair.

References

1. Polymeric Patches Based on Chitosan/Green Clay Composites and Hazelnut Shell Extract as Bio-Sustainable Medication for Wounds. Pharmaceutics (2023).
2. Development and Characterization of Xanthan Gum and Alginate Based Bioadhesive Film for Pycnogenol Topical Use in Wound Treatment. Pharmaceutics (2021).
3. Effect of Rosemary Cream on Episiotomy Wound Healing in Primiparous Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2022).