Combining bioengineered human dermal replacement and multilayered compression dressings to manage ulcers in a person with diabetes mellitus: a case study

Multiple modalities exist for the care of lower extremity ulcers associated with venous insufficiency and complications of diabetes mellitus, (eg, neuropathy). Although reports about the use of topical adjunctive treatment modalities in the treatment of foot ulcers in persons with diabetes mellitus exist, little is known about the safety of topical treatment when used in combination with compression therapy to manage venous insufficiency. A patient with diabetes mellitus, neuropathy, a 3.3 cm x 3.0 cm x 1 mm heel ulcer and a 8.1 cm x 4.9 cm x 3 mm lower leg ulcer secondary to venous insufficiency presented at the authors' clinic. After 8 weeks of therapy using a combination of bioengineered human dermal replacement and multilayered compression dressings, lower leg edema was reduced, the heel ulcer healed, and the leg ulcer continued to improve. No complications were observed. The results observed suggest that studies examining the effects of treatment regimens that address the multifactorial etiology of some lower extremity ulcers are warranted.