Evaluation of the Effects of Human Keratin Wound Matrix on Difficult-to-Heal Chronic Wounds

Background: On the market today, there are a plethora of products aimed to reinstate the normal cycle of wound healing for chronic nonhealing wounds, thus allowing them to close. We aimed to look at a novel product using human keratin as the basis of its effect on closing wounds.

Methods: Six patients were identified who had wounds of various etiology open for at least six months. All of the patients had continuous ongoing treatment of their wounds at a tertiary wound care center in an urban setting. Patients had keratin matrix placed in the office along with a multilayer compression dressing. On weekly follow-up, up to four weeks, wound size, signs of infection, exudate, and pain were recorded along with wound photography.

Results: Of the six patients, two had 100% wound closure by the end of the four-week treatment period. The other patients had an average healing rate of 47% over the treatment period, ranging from 12–82% wound closure. One patient had to end the treatment period early due to increased pain associated with the matrix usage. There were no infections or other adverse events noted with the use of the product.

Conclusion: The human keratin matrix serves as a promising product available in the arsenal to treat difficult-to-heal wounds. It is difficult to say the exact mechanism of action of the product, but the ability to close wounds that have not healed through other regular treatment modalities helps show its potential efficacy, though further study will have to be done to show superiority.