Dermagraft is a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved skin substitute that helps heal diabetic foot ulcers . These ulcers are serious wounds that occur most often in the skin over the ball of the foot or on the bottom of the big toe.
Dermagraft is a dissolvable mesh material that contains human connective tissue cells called fibroblasts. Dermagraft is placed directly on the ulcer, where the mesh and fibroblasts are gradually absorbed. Fibroblasts produce many of the same factors found in healthy skin. As the fibroblasts attach and grow in the wound, they help replace and rebuild the damaged parts in the foot.
Dermagraft can be used on the following types of ulcers:
There are certain cases when Dermagraft should not be used, such as:
People with diabetes are more likely to develop foot problems such as:
These problems make people with diabetes more susceptible to sores. If you have diabetes, inspect your feet every day. Seek care right away if you have a foot injury. Also, have your feet checked by your doctor at least once a year.
RESOURCES:
American Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.org/
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.ca/
Canadian Podiatric Medical Association
http://www.podiatrycanada.org/default.htm/
References
Dermagraft—P000036. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DeviceApprovalsandClearances/Recently-ApprovedDevices/ucm085085.htm. Updated June 29, 2009. Accessed February 25, 2010.
Ehrenreich M, Ruszczak Z. Update on tissue-engineered biological dressings. Tissue Eng . 2006;12(9):2407-2424. Review.
Marston WA. Dermagraft, a bioengineered human dermal equivalent for the treatment of chronic nonhealing diabetic foot ulcer. Expert Rev Med Devices . 2004;1(1):21-31. Review.
Patient Guide. Hannibal Regional Medical Group website. Available at: http://hannibalregionalmedicalgroup.org/Portals/0/dermagraft_patient_guide.pdf. Published 2008. Accessed February 25, 2010.
Last reviewed February 2010 by Brian Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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