Use of cryopreserved umbilical cord with negative pressure wound therapy for complex diabetic ulcers with osteomyelitis

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined use of cryopreserved human umbilical cord (cUC) allograft and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in treating complex diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) with bone exposure and osteomyelitis. These types of wound are known to carry a high morbidity and mortality. Methods: A single-center, retrospective chart review was performed to assess the efficacy of the combined use of cUC with NPWT, by the same surgeon, to help promote the closure of complex DFUs presenting with biopsy-proven osteomyelitis. Change in wound size and volume, time to wound closure, and number of cUC applications were assessed. Results: We identified of 14 wounds in 13 patients, with an average initial wound area of (mean +/- standard devaition) 33.2 +/- 21.7cm(2) and wound volume of 52 +/- 26.2cm(3). All achieved complete re-epithelialisation with an average time to closure of 24.0 +/- 10.9 weeks, using between 2-5 cUC applications. No adverse events were noted and none of the wounds required limb amputation during the a follow-up of 24 months for each patient. Conclusion: The results suggest that combined use of cUC and NPWT may be effective in improving the healing of complex DFUs that present with osteomyelitis. Prospective, randomised controlled trials are warranted to confirm this efficacy as well as its potential applications in other chronic wounds.