(CS-072) Case Series of Complex Diabetic Ulcers Healed With Fish Skin Grafts

Achieving complete closure for complex diabetic foot wounds is a challenge for the wound care practitioner. . Complex wounds include those that have either significant infection, osteomyelitis, PVD, uncontrolled diabetes, significant comorbidities or a combination of these issues.  Utilizing Fish grafts has led to complete closure in these difficult cases.

Methods:

A series of these complex diabetic patients is presented.  The complex issues involved with each case is noted.  The patients were grafted in the operating room and/or the wound center and measurements were taken prior to the first grafting and on a weekly basis until closure.  Most patients required a series of grafts either weekly or every other week.  The total time frame and number of grafts associated with each case is illustrated. 

Results:

All of the cases presented showed incremental progression toward healing starting with the initial graft.  Complete closure was achieved in all of the cases. 

Discussion:

Fish grafting has proven to be a proven and cost effective way to manage and help to heal diabetic foot ulcers.  In the cases presented, despite complicating factors including either significant infection, osteomyelitis, PVD, uncontrolled diabetes, significant comorbidities, or a combination of these factors, complete closure was achieved in all cases.