Can a Human Keratin Matrix Aid in the Healing of Chronic Lower Extremity Wounds?

Introduction: Keratin is a fibrous structural protein that provides mechanical stability to cells of the epidermis. Recent advances have been made in understanding the role of keratin in cell biology, in particular the importance of keratin in cell differentiation and protein synthesis. Innovative processes have recently been established for reconstituting keratin into physical forms useful as wound dressing products that also maintain the biological function of the protein. This case series aimed to investigate if a novel  active wound matrix manufactured from human keratin could prove beneficial in the treatment of chronic wounds of the lower extremity. Methods: In this case series the author evaluated chronic wounds of the lower extremity treated with the human keratin matrix. Each patient was treated as an outpatient with dressing changes occurring typically every 7 days. The dressing changes were performed by the author. Wound healing progress was assessed by weekly photography and wound assessments and measurements. Three patients were treated and followed over the course of this study. Results: While this is a limited series, these three cases of recalcitrant leg wounds healed well after the introduction of the human keratin matrix, which provide an opportunity to consider the clinical application of recent knowledge advances regarding the role of keratin proteins in healing. All three patients had wounds that had become chronic despite appropriate wound care. The healing that occurred in these cases is noteworthy since the median wound age was 48 weeks duration and they all had failed to heal with multiple other wound care therapies.