title: Dehydrated human amnion/chorion tissue in difficult-to-heal DFUs: a case series.
abstract: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) occur as a result of multifactorial complications and are commonly found in the diabetic community. Underlying disease states such as neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease can slow healing rates, potentially leading to recurrence, amputation, and increased mortality. As with many other disease processes, DFUs have several treatment options, such as debriding agents, alginate seaweed extract, hydrocolloid gels, and amniotic membrane allografts. The presented cases all used a dehydrated human amniotic/chorionic membrane allograft (dHACM; EpiFix) to aid the healing process. Human amniotic epithelial membranes have seen increased usage due to their ability to enhance the healing process and accelerate cellular regeneration. The DFUs healed in all of the five patients treated, and patients saw a full recovery in 2.5-11 weeks. In addition, the healing time decreased in spite of the non-adherence seen in three of the patients. These results suggest another possible use for dHACM; however, further studies are required to confirm these data.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This project was self-funded and had no influences outside the fact that Dr Penny is a speaker for MiMedx.
authors.affiliation: 1414 9th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Penny
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rifkah
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zaki
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Meloy
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Flores
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D064591:Allografts; D000650:Amnion / Q000637:transplantation*; D002823:Chorion / Q000637:transplantation*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000601:surgery; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: allograft; chronic wounds; dehydrated human amniotic/chorionic membrane; diabetic foot ulcers