Objective: In this study, a biological extracellular matrix was compared with a moist wound dressing to determine its effectiveness in the treatment of mixed arterial/venous and venous ulcers.
Methods: Patients were evaluated for complete wound healing, time to dressing change, and formation of granulation tissue.
Results: Extracellular matrix-treated ulcers achieved complete healing on average in 5.4 weeks as compared with 8.3 weeks for the control group treated with moist wound dressing (P = .02). At the primary time point evaluated (8 weeks), complete wound closure was achieved in 80% of extracellular matrix-treated ulcers compared with 65% of ulcers in the control group (P < .05). Statistically significant differences favoring the extracellular-matrix treatment group were also reported for time to dressing change (P < .05), and for percentage of granulation tissue formed (P < .05).
Conclusion: Overall, the biological extracellular matrix was more beneficial than moist wound dressings for the treatment of patients with mixed arterial/venous or venous ulcers.