The cell based dressing with living allogenic keratinocytes in the treatment of foot ulcers: a case study

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of cell based dressing with living allogenic keratinocytes in diabetic foot patients. To address this issue, the cultured keratinocytes were attached to the microcarriers produced from polyethylene and silica. The microcarriers were then applied to the wounds at 3-day intervals. Forty patients with grade II and III diabetic foot ulcers were included into the study. The patients were randomised into two groups (n=20). The treatment and control groups received cell based dressing and microcarriers kept in culture medium overnight, respectively. The wound size was recorded at 3 days intervals. The wounds were also categorised by a specific scoring system considering the wound contraction, granulation tissue formation, epithelisation and discharge from the wounds. The high score indicates better condition.

The mean reduction of the wound area was 92% in the treatment group and 32% in the control group at the end of the 30 days treatment (p<0.001). When considered the complete healing, the mean number of dressings was 9.2±3.2 in the treatment group whereas it was 16.5±2.3 in the control group (p<0.001). The initial mean score of the treatment and control groups were 2.5 and 2.35, respectively. At the end of the 30th day, the mean score of the treatment group was 17.15±2.7 and of control group was 9.05±3.

Allogenic keratinocyte treatment delivered with microcarriers can make significant contributions to wound healing in diabetic foot patients.