Dermagraft®, a bioengineered human dermal equivalent for the treatment of chronic nonhealing diabetic foot ulcer

Abstract

Chronic nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers are a common medical problem that may precede severe complications such as infection, sepsis and limb loss. Current standard methods of treatment are aimed at removing necrotic debris, controlling infection, and relieving chronic pressure on the wound. Unfortunately, healing rates are poor with standard treatment, averaging 12–20 weeks in clinical trials. A new strategy for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers has been developed through tissue engineering, allowing the application of healthy living skin cells to assist in the healing process. It is hoped that the living tissue will release appropriate quantities of growth factors, cytokines and other proteins to stimulate the chronic wound bed and accelerate healing. Dermagraft® (Smith & Nephew) is a neonatal-derived bioengineered tissue comprised of dermal fibroblasts. In this article, the structure and behavior of this tissue will be examined, focusing particularly on the randomized clinical trials performed to justify its use in diabetic foot ulcers.