Treatment of diabetic ulceration using Dermagraft

Abstract This paper presents a descriptive case series in which the treatment of diabetic ulceration was undertaken using Dermagraft (Advanced Tissue Sciences Inc., La Jolla, California and Smith and Nephew, Lachine, Quebec), a bioengineered human dermal replacement. The three cases involved were deemed to be particularly challenging, the ulcers in question having been unresponsive to the gold standard care implemented in the Wound Management clinic of the Chiropody Department of The Toronto Hospital, and having been present for between 9 and 24 months. The results of the series were encouraging although mixed, with one wound being healed, one wound showing significant improvement with anticipated closure prior to the patient’s demise, and one wound where little improvement was noted. The authors conclude that even in the most challenging cases of diabetic neuropathic ulceration, the use of Dermagraft can be beneficial and should be considered as an adjunct to gold standard care.