A Future Filled with Endless Possibilities

At just 22 years old and a few months shy of her graduation from Bryant University, Jenna Pothier was diagnosed with Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP), a rare, slow-growing, malignant skin cancer that develops in the middle layer of the skin. She was away on a spring break trip with friends. Nothing could have prepared her for this diagnosis and what she initially thought was just a cyst on her forehead that could be removed cosmetically. The first thing she did was call her parents who immediately went into execution mode to find her the best surgeons and care possible.

She also searched online for more information about DFSP and came up with nothing. As Jenna recalls, “It was definitely scary at first. I didn't know the severity of it. When my margins weren't clear after the initial surgery, the surgeons went back in a few more times to make sure all of the cancer was removed. So, within a six-week period, I had three wide excision surgeries. And after the third one, they had told me that I had clear margins.”

Left with an open wound on her forehead, Dr. Ian Valerio, plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital, presented her with advanced wound management solutions; Integra® Bilayer Wound Matrix to allow for skull coverage and MicroMatrix® Urinary Bladder Matrix (UBM) Particulate to provide intimate contact with all areas of the wound bed during the granulation process. Together, the use of these complementary products demonstrates how the breadth and depth of Integra’s portfolio can meet patient and clinician needs.

As someone who has always had a passion for helping others, as soon as she realized there wasn’t a lot of information publicly available on DFSP, she decided that she wanted to be the person to pay it forward for other people experiencing something similar. That’s when she started to document her cancer journey and wound progression on the social media platform, TikTok. While it was, as her mom, Lisa, shared, “a raw thing to do, what surprised her and Jenna, was how incredibly therapeutic it was for us.”

Now in her second year of graduate school at Boston College, Jenna is pursuing a master’s degree in social work to fulfill her dream to help children and those less fortunate.

"This experience definitely taught me that I am more capable than I thought I was. It has given me a lot of personal strength and growth because if I can go through what I went through, I can accomplish anything."

Note: Clinical results may vary.

Product Information

The results presented in this video are case-specific and should not be used to draw general conclusions as to clinical outcomes. Moreover, any statements made by Dr. Valerio and others during this presentation are their own opinions and should not be construed as claims for the features, attributes, safety or efficacy of the Integra products mentioned herein.

 

Integra Bilayer:

Indications for Use

Integra Bilayer Wound Matrix is indicated for the management of wounds including: partial and full-thickness wounds, pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, chronic vascular ulcers, surgical wounds (donor sites/ grafts, post-Mohs surgery, post-laser surgery, podiatric, wound dehiscence), trauma wounds (abrasions, lacerations, second-degree burns, and skin tears) and draining wounds. The device is intended for one-time use.

Contraindications

  • This device should not be used in patients with known sensitivity to bovine collagen or chondroitin materials
  • The device is not indicated for use in third-degree burns


Precautions

  • Integra Bilayer Wound Matrix should not be applied until excessive exudate, bleeding, acute swelling and infection are controlled
  • Debridement or excision must be done thoroughly to remove any remaining necrotic tissue that may cause infection
  • The following complications are possible with the use of wound dressings. If any of the conditions occur, the device should be removed: infection, chronic inflammation (initial application of wound dressings may be associated with transient, mild, localized inflammation), allergic reaction, excessive redness, pain or swelling.

 

MicroMatrix:

Indications for Use

MicroMatrix is intended for the management of wounds including: partial and full-thickness wounds, pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, chronic vascular ulcers, tunneled/undermined wounds, surgical wounds (donor sites/grafts, post-Mohs surgery, post-laser surgery, podiatric, wound dehiscence), trauma wounds (abrasions, lacerations, second-degree burns, skin tears), and draining wounds. This device is intended for one-time use.

Contraindications

  1. Known sensitivity or allergy to porcine materials.
  2. Third-degree burns.


Warnings 

  1. If active infection is present, treat patient to resolve infection prior to device application.
  2. Do not use glass vial if cracked, broken, or otherwise damaged.
  3. MicroMatrix is not indicated for treatment of alopecia.