Implantable Nanomedical Scaffold Facilitates Healing of Chronic Lower Extremity Wounds

BACKGROUND: Chronic, nonhealing wounds are a growing health care problem in the United States, affecting more than 6.5 million patients annually. OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study evaluates the clinical efficacy and utility of an implantable nanomedical scaffold in the treatment of chronic, nonhealing lower extremity wounds in patients with multiple comorbidities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from patients with chronic wounds that had persisted for ≥ 4 weeks and were unresponsive to existing advanced wound care modalities were included in the study. Wounds received the implantable nanomedical scaffold weekly, or as deemed appropriate, for up to 12 weeks based on physician assessment of wound status. RESULTS: A total of 82 wounds were included in this study; wound types consisted of 34 diabetic foot ulcers, 34 venous leg ulcers, and 14 other wounds. Overall, treated wounds demonstrated progressive and sustained wound area reduction over the course of treatment, with 85% achieving complete closure at 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The implantable nanomedical scaffold proved to be an effective alternative to existing wound matrices capable of supporting the natural wound healing process and may provide significant benefits as part of the treatment algorithm for challenging chronic wounds.