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A Clinical Minute: Giving New Life to Complex Wounds — The Dynamics of AMNIOEXCEL Amniotic Tissue Supported by the TCC-EZ Healing Chamber
The ultimate goal in the management of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) is to prevent the “amputation stairway” of compounding steps from diabetes and neuropathy through to amputation. Total contact casting (TCC) is considered the cornerstone and gold standard in DFU management based on its proven efficacy.1-7
However, in many cases, effective offloading is just 1 piece of the puzzle. With a primary goal of rapid wound closure to reduce the risk of complications and improve outcomes, the use of advanced wound care modalities, such as cellular and/or tissue-based products (CTPs), also should be considered if wound area is not reduced by 50% after 4 weeks of conservative management.8,9 Using these modalities with TCC is crucial, because advanced therapies are unlikely to succeed without effective offloading.7
AMNIOEXCEL® (BioD, LLC made available by Derma Sciences, Inc, Princeton, NJ) is a dehydrated human amnion membrane. Its combination of properties provides a natural matrix for cellular attachment and assists in cell migration and proliferation.10 AMNIOEXCEL® is not side-specific and is processed via a proprietary DryFlex® process, making it easy to handle and conform to the wound bed upon application without the need for hydration.
AMNIOMATRIX® (BioD, LLC made available by Derma Sciences, Inc, Princeton, NJ) is a cryopreserved viable human placental suspension composed of morselized amnion membrane and components of amniotic fluid recovered from the same donor. AMNIOMATRIX® is processed through a patented (US Patent # 8,932,805) CryoPrime™ process to preserve the inherent extracellular matrix, growth factors, and cytokines.
At our wound care center, complex and challenging wounds are the norm; 80% of the patients have diabetes. We regularly use TCC-EZ® Total Contact Casting System (Derma Sciences, Inc, Princeton, NJ). The system creates a Healing Chamber™ that works on both the macro-environment and micro-environment of the wound. It allows for active healing by reducing pressure and shear within the cast and provides a safe environment that reduces inflammation and where granulation tissue can grow.11 For more difficult wounds or high-risk patients, TCC-EZ® is used with advanced wound therapies such as AMNIOEXCEL® and AMNIOMATRIX®.
Case Study
A 32-year-old man with type 1 diabetes presented to the ER with oozing from his right plantar foot for the past 24 hours. He had a history of chronic recurrent foot ulcers due to underlying biomechanical problems. He was previously treated with TCC and discharged with a prescription for custom-made orthotics and shoes that unfortunately, did not arrive in time to prevent recurrence. At the ER, wound area was 0.44 cm2 and volume 0.22 cm3. He was treated with antibiotics and referred to our wound care clinic, where he was seen 14 days later. The wound bed was clean, granular, and healthy in appearance with no signs of infection, and X-ray further confirmed a low likelihood of osteomyelitis. Because his wound was a recurrent problem, we felt aggressive offloading and advanced wound therapies were needed.
AMNIOEXCEL® was applied, followed by XTRASORB® Foam Dressing (Derma Sciences, Inc, Princeton, NJ). The patient then was fitted with TCC-EZ®. At follow-up visits, he reported tolerating TCC-EZ® well. After 1 week, the wound improved and remained healthy in appearance. After only 2 weeks (1 application of AMNIOEXCEL®), the wound closed. He was discharged with custom inserts and shoes.
In summary, the use of AMNIOEXCEL® optimizes tissue growth while TCC-EZ® protects against sheering and pressure — together, they work in concert to achieve optimal healing outcomes. In our clinic, the use of this combination has helped our high-risk patients with complex DFUs achieve rapid wound closure, minimizing the risk for complications while improving patient quality of life.
Want to know more? Please visit www.dermasciences.com.
This article was not subject to the Ostomy Wound Management peer-review process.
References
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