Introduction. Omega-3–rich fish skin grafts have been shown to accelerate wound healing in full-thickness wounds. Objective. The goal of this study was to compare the fish skin graft with standard of care (SOC) using collagen alginate dressing in the management of treatment-resistant diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), defined as superficial ulcers not involving tendon capsule or bone. Materials and Methods. Patients with DFUs who were first treated with SOC (offloading, appropriate debridement, and moist wound care) for a 2-week screening period were then randomized to either receiving SOC alone or SOC plus fish skin graft applied weekly for up to 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the percentage of wounds closed at 12 weeks. Results. Forty-nine patients were included in the final analysis. At 12 weeks, 16 of 24 patients' DFUs (67%) in the fish skin arm were completely closed, compared with 8 of 25 patients' DFUs (32%) in the SOC arm (P value = .0152 [N = 49]; significant at P < .047). At 6 weeks, the percentage area reduction was 41.2% in the SOC arm and 72.8% in the fish skin arm. Conclusions. The application of fish skin graft to previously nonresponsive DFUs resulted in significantly more fully healed wounds at 12 weeks than SOC alone. The study findings support the use of fish skin graft for chronic DFUs that do not heal with comprehensive SOC treatment.
Objective. This is the second of 3 planned articles reporting on a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of fish skin graft in the management of diabetic foot ulcers in comparison with the standard of care (collagen alginate dressing). Materials and Methods. The primary end point of this prospective randomized trial is the number of closed wounds at 12 weeks. Results. As of the time of this writing, 94 patients had completed the protocol. At 12-week follow-up, healing was achieved in 63.0% of index ulcers (29 of 46 patients) in the acellular fish skin graft group compared with 31.3% in the control group (15 of 48 patients) (P =.0036). In both groups, the mean time to healing was 7 weeks. The median number of applications of the fish skin graft to achieve healing was 6. Conclusion. A clinically and statistically significant difference in healing was observed between patients treated with acellular fish skin graft and those treated with a collagen alginate dressing. The data support the completion of this prospective randomized trial.
Since the development of Unna boot therapies, there has been development in newer technologies for venous compression syndromes and chronic venous hypertension. Chronic lower extremity venous insufficiency results in venous stasis, edema and hypercongestion of the lower extremities. Given the breadth of potential uses, the goal of this study was to retrospectively compile and analyze the clinical application and effectiveness of a 2-layer zinc-impregnated foam Unna boot bandage (Andover Healthcare, Salisbury, MA) in patients with lower extremity swelling with or without wounds treated by a single physician and monitored for 12 weeks post-application in the outpatient setting. In patients with complex comorbidities, the use of this new foam-impregnated multi-layer compression Unna boot shows efficacy in reduction of edema and wound size within 12 weeks. This newer therapy shows extensive promise in the ability to keep patients adherent to treatment regimens with higher rates of success.
Damaged connective tissue commonly leads to lower extremity injuries. These injuries can result in inflammation, reduced mobility, and chronic pain. Conservative treatment may include orthotics, offloading the injury, physical therapy, and/or NSAIDs. If conservative treatment fails, surgical intervention may be required. Even after successful surgery, these procedures often result in reduced joint mobility and tendon or ligament strength.A novel flowable tissue matrix allograft, derived from human placental connective tissue, has recently been made available for minimally invasive treatment of damaged or inadequate tissue (PX50®, Human Regenerative Technologies LLC, Redondo Beach, CA).Based on the universal role of connective tissue in the body, and its reported antimicrobial, anti-adhesive, and anti-inflammatory properties, we assessed the effects of using this placental tissue matrix in the treatment of a series of lower extremity injuries.In this pilot study, 9 of 10 patients reported pain levels of 2 or less by week four using the VAS pain scale. This short-term pilot study effectively shows that injectable, flowable amniotic allografts can be used for orthopedic sports injuries of the lower extremities.
Introduction. DFUs remain a cause of significant morbidity. Objective. This is the third of 3 planned articles reporting on a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial evaluating the use of omega-3–rich acellular FSG compared with CAT in the management of DFUs. Materials and Methods. A total of 102 patients with a DFU (n = 51 FSG, n = 51 CAT) participated in the trial as ITT candidates, with 77 of those patients included in the PP analysis (n = 43 FSG, n = 34 CAT). Six months after treatment, patients with healed ulcers were followed up for ulcer recurrence. A cost analysis model was applied in both treatment groups. Results. The proportion of closed wounds at 12 weeks was compared, as were the secondary outcomes of healing rate and mean PAR. Diabetic foot wounds treated with FSG were significantly more likely to achieve closure than those managed with CAT (ITT: 56.9% vs 31.4%; P =.0163). The mean PAR at 12 weeks was 86.3% for FSG vs 64.0% for CAT (P =.0282). Conclusions. Treatment of DFUs with FSG resulted in significantly more wounds healed and an annualized cost savings of $2818 compared with CAT.
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