Cellular senescence and matrix metalloproteinase activity in chronic wounds. Relevance to debridement and new technologies.

A prolonged inflammatory response may adversely affect wound closure. Delayed wound closure and extended exposure to chronic wound fluid may also affect cellular activity in a wound bed and result in cellular senescence. Prolonged inflammation and cellular senescence may adversely affect the efficacy of topically-applied biological agents, including growth factors. Appropriate wound bed preparation and debridement are necessary to improve clinical outcomes of new technologies.