Using a new product – especially for surgery – can be nerve-wracking, to say the least. You want to make sure you are doing everything you can to present the best options and the correct information to your client, and then make sure that you are doing the best you can for your patient as well. To help ease some of your fears when using our SIS+ products, we’ve compiled this list of pro tips to help you.

1. Make sure you are using the correct tissue patch for the job. Our SIS+ comes in both a single laminate and a multi-laminate (4 ply). Many internal surgeries (such as herniations) will likely require the extra strength a multi-laminate will provide. External wound closures may not require the same strength; you may find a single laminate to be more beneficial in those cases. If you are unsure, please don’t hesitate to ask us!

2. Rehydrate the graft thoroughly. If the graft must be trimmed to size, do so aseptically while the graft is dry; then rehydrate prior to suturing.

3. Avoid excess tension! It is widely accepted that functioning wound sites heal faster than non-functioning ones. Allowing for movement by reducing excess tension in the wound site will provide for faster, more optimal outcomes.

4. Keep the wound moist. In areas where SIS+ is being used for external wound management, we recommend the application of an aqueous dermal gel (for example, our RediHeal ointment or a sterile aloe gel) so the matrix remains moist during the healing process.

5. Bandage with a non-adherent dressing, and change the dressing carefully. The SIS+ tissue patch may be resorbed at different rates across a wound, so you will want to be careful to avoid disturbing any remaining, intact matrix throughout the process. Some of the matrix may turn a golden or caramel color (part of the “golden age” of healing seen with this product) and is not a cause for alarm.

6. Discard any unused portions of the graft after surgery! Although it may seem wasteful, re-sterilization of the matrix significantly reduces the number of growth factors present and makes it substantially less effective for future use. This means you should always be sure to use the smallest patch required for a particular surgery.

There is NO SUBSTITUTE for reading the instructions in full! Prepared with the full instructions and with these tips in mind, you will be well on your way to providing the best wound and surgical care possible for your patients. Still have questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask us!