Healing Rates of Foot Wounds Treated by a Composite Graft of Silicone and Bovine Tendon Collagen

Objective: To assess healing rates of foot and ankle wounds treated with composite graft of silicone and bovine tendon collagen (CGSBTC) in patients with and without diabetes.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of lower extremity wounds treated with CGSBTC from 2017-2020 in 47 consecutive patients, with and without diabetes (83% and 17%, respectively). Diabetes was defined using American Diabetes Association criteria. Data was collected on demographics, comorbidities, follow-up time, time to heal, reinfections, readmission, and amputation level. Mean follow-up time was 26 weeks. We compared risk factors and outcomes in healers versus non-healers using T-test and Chi square.

Results: Thirty-one (66%) patients healed in 24.8615.21 weeks. There were 17 foot-related readmissions and 13 minor amputations after initial hospital discharge. Patients without diabetes healed in 21.83 14.77 weeks, and patients with diabetes healed in 25.5815.52 weeks.

Conclusion: At baseline, no demographic criteria or comorbidity showed a significant difference between the healers versus non-healer groups.