SLR - January 2012 - Desiree Mayo
Reference: Karr, J. (2011). Retrospective Comparison of Diabetic Foot Ulcer and Venous Stasis Ulcer Healing Outcome between a Dermal Repair Scaffold (Primatrix) and a Bilayered Living Cell Therapy (Apligraf). Advances in Skin and Wound Care. (24) 2; 119-125.
Scientific Literature Review
Reviewed by: Desiree Mayo, DPM
Residency Program: Bethesda Memorial Hospital, Boynton Beach, FL
Podiatric Relevance:
Diabetic foot ulcers and venous stasis ulcers both have a great impact on patient quality of life. This article compares the healing rate of such wounds with serial applications of Apligraf vs. Primatrix.
Methods:
This was a retrospective review of 40 diabetic foot ulcers and 28 venous stasis ulcers that were treated with either of the two graft materials. These patients were selected from a single center’s database. The average hemoglobin A1c for the Apligraf group’s patients was 9.3 vs 7.8 for the Primatrix group’s patients. This study compared the length of time it took for complete healing of an ulcer using either Primatrix or Apligraf.
Results:
Diabetic ulcers treated with Apligraf had an average healing time of 87 days after an average of two applications. Diabetic foot ulcers treated with Primatrix had an average healing time of 37 days after an average of 1.5 applications. Venous stasis ulcers treated with Apligraf had an average healing time of 63 days after an average of 1.7 applications. Venous stasis ulcers treated with Primatrix had an average healing time of 32 days after an average of 1.3 applications.
Conclusions:
Both treatments were highly effective for complete wound closure in these difficult to heal chronic wounds. However, Primatrix required less applications and less time for healing. In diabetic ulcers, application of Primatrix led to healing in 38 days compared to Apligraf’s 87 days. In venous ulcers, Primatrix again took less time for complete closure, averaging 32 days, while Apligraf nearly doubled that at 63 days. Therefore, Primatrix may represent a more cost effective treatment option for healing of chronic wounds.