Living Skin for Wound Healing

By Dr. Carl Van Gils

Three days after the terrible attacks on the World Trade Center, several units of a product called Graftskin or Apligraf were donated to New York hospitals to help with burned and wounded victims. This product has the marvelous property to accelerate the normal wound healing process and can be used in both acute burns and chronic nonhealing wounds. Apligraf, the latest in wound healing technology, is also available in wound healing clinics and hospitals in Southern Utah.

Apligraf is a cellular bioengineered living skin substitute that is FDA approved for the treatment of venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers. This skin substitute contains living cells derived from neonatal foreskin tissue. Apligraf delivers important proteins and growth factors that help wounds heal faster. It provides a barrier function and skin structure that often “kick starts” the healing process. This unique product has been safely used in over 20,000 patient applications but remains largely unknown.

Studies have shown that this skin substitute closes more diabetic foot ulcers in less time than conventional therapy and therefore can reduce the rate of bone infection and lower extremity amputation. Venous and diabetic ulcers can have a tremendous economic, physical and emotional impact. Patients with these wounds often experience an impaired quality of life.

At the Dixie Regional Medical Center’s Wound Clinic, Apligraf, combined with conventional wound healing methods, has been used to successfully heal many chronic hard-to-heal wounds over the past two years. Patients with diabetic ulcers, venous leg ulcers, surgical wounds, pressure sores, and burns have benefited from this exciting advanced wound healing modality. In addition to improving wound healing, we have found that application of this skin substitute dramatically reduces our patients’ pain. It is good to know that St. George is on the cutting edge of health care technology.

Author’s note: To learn more about diabetes, foot care, and other health care issues plan on attending the annual IHC health care expo at the Dixie Center on November 3 and 4.