Cryopreserved and Lyopreserved Placental Membrane with Viable Cells Aids the Closure of Chronic Wounds That Failed Standard of Care Therapy

Overcoming the factors that contribute to delayed healing, including inflammation, hypoxia, and bacterial colonization, is the primary challenge in successfully treating chronic wounds. Insufficient progress in wound healing after four weeks of standard of care therapy (SOC) suggests that advanced therapeutic agents be considered.

Human placental membranes possess inherent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifibrotic, and angiogenic properties, all of which are beneficial for chronic wound management. Advancements in tissue preservation have led to the commercialization of placental membranes. Currently, cryopreserved (vCPM) and lyopreserved (vLPM) placental tissue with viable cells are available on the market. vCPM and vLPM retain all native components of fresh tissue, including extracellular matrix, growth factors, and viable endogenous cells, and in contrast to fresh tissue, possess years of shelf life. Clinical studies have demonstrated that the use of vCPM or vLPM adjunct to SOC for hard-to-treat chronic wounds results in high closure rates.

Seven patients (three females, four males) with wound types including crush injury, traumatic ulceration, venous wound, diabetic foot ulcers, and atypical wounds that failed SOC are presented. Mean wound duration was 4.5 months and mean wound size was 10.9 cm². These wounds were managed with either vCPM transitioned to vLPM or solely with vLPM adjunct to SOC. SOC included sharp debridement, nonadherent dressings, and, for foot ulcers, an appropriate offloading device was prescribed. Six of the seven (86%) patients’ wounds closed with a mean of 6.3 weeks and a mean of 5.3 graft applications. The largest wound, size 60.8 cm², reduced its size by 96% and is progressing toward closure. There were no treatment-related adverse events.

The positive clinical outcome of these cases supports the use of vCPM and vLPM in the treatment of chronic wounds of various etiologies refractory to SOC. Data also support clinical equivalency between vCPM and vLPM.