Hybrid-scale fiber matrix a viable alternative for treating chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Study

United States: Chronic diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) often experience inadequate healing rates. Various solutions have been utilized clinically, including human autografts and allografts, animal-based xenografts, and synthetic skin substitute materials. However, these graft types introduce the need for decellularization, additional risks of inflammatory response and disease transmission, and potential challenges with storage, handling, and ease of use. There remains a need for skin substitutes that promote complete healing and minimize disease transmission, transplant rejection, and inflammation.

B.P. Abicht et al conducted a study to evaluate outcomes using a synthetic hybrid-scale fiber matrix for the treatment of DFUs. The matrix is composed of two biocompatible polymers, polyglactin 910 and polydioxanone. It has a structure similar to native extracellular matrix, provides a scaffold for cellular infiltration and neovascularization, and has a defined rate of resorption tailored to match the rate of new tissue ingrowth and re-epithelialization.

In this prospective multi-center clinical study, chronic DFUs were treated with the synthetic matrix. Post application, wounds were examined weekly for wound progression and tissue healing for up to 12 weeks.

Results:

• Twenty-four patients with DFUs completed the study and were included in the analysis.

• At the end of the 12-week treatment period, 18 of 24 wounds (75%) reported complete wound closure.

• The average reduction in wound surface area over 12 weeks was 96% ± 10%. For the wounds that healed, the average time to complete wound closure was 6.4 ± 2.5 weeks.

• The synthetic matrix resulted in significant healing of chronic non-healing DFUs unresponsive to at least one previous advanced wound care modality.

• The incidence of complete healing in the present study was observed to be notably greater than standard care methods and comparable to other advanced wound therapies.

The authors concluded that - this clinical study showed the use of a synthetic hybrid-scale fiber matrix resulted in a high incidence of complete healing of chronic DFUs. These results are similar to or better than existing advanced wound care modalities, suggesting that this matrix may be a viable option to current treatment modalities and may provide substantial benefits in the treatment pathway for DFUs.

Further reading:

Evaluation of wound healing of diabetic foot ulcers in a prospective clinical trial using a synthetic hybrid-scale fiber matrix.

Bradley P. Abicht, George A. Deitrick, Matthew R. MacEwan, Lily Jeng.

Foot & Ankle Surgery: Techniques, Reports & Cases 2 (2022) 100135

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fastrc.2021.100135