title: Equine pericardium as a biological covering for the treatment of diabetic foot wounds: a prospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diabetic foot wounds remain a significant health-care issue. Healing these wounds in a timely manner is of paramount importance because the duration of ulceration correlates with increased rates of infection and amputation, costing billions of dollars yearly. Collagen-based matrices have been used as wound covers and have been shown to improve and expedite healing. We present our experience with equine pericardium biomatrix for the treatment of neuropathic foot wounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four patients with 37 diabetic foot wounds were evaluated at two institutions prospectively. All of the wounds were debrided, and equine pericardium biomatrix was applied. Secondary dressings were changed every 48 to 72 hours until healed or for 12 weeks after application. Healing rate at 12 weeks, time to wound closure, and complications were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-two men and 12 women (mean age, 56.9 years) were treated and evaluated. Mean and median wound sizes at initial treatment were 715.8 and 440 mm(2), respectively. The overall wound healing rate by 12 weeks was 75.7% (n =28). Mean and median times to wound closure were 7.2 and 7.0 weeks, respectively. No device or procedure-related complications were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of equine pericardium as a temporary biological scaffold is safe and effective for the treatment of chronic neuropathic foot wounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Oak Park, IL, USA. jeffery_alexander@rush.edu
authors.forename: Jeffery H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Yeager
authors.forename: Dean S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: Carlo A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Messina
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Griffeth
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pacocha
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barakat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001684:Biological Dressings; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000628:therapy*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010496:Pericardium; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014945:Wound Healing