Combination therapy of trichloroacetic acid, human autologous fibroblast injection and fibroblast seeded microfibrous collagen scaffold as a novel treatment for osteomyelitis diabetic foot ulcer

Abstract

A severe complication associated with diabetes is diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Most patients with DFU require amputation. Although treatment of non-healing diabetic ulcers is challenging, the use of novel therapies can be effective. In this report, we present the case of a woman with type 2 diabetes with DFU-related osteomyelitis, who was treated with a combination therapy of trichloroacetic acid, calcium alginate and foam dressings, human autologous fibroblast injection, and a fibroblast cell-seeded collagen scaffold. The results showed the positive effects of combination therapy on DFU. In the initial treatment, the wound area was measured to be 14 × 7 cm2, with a depth of 4 cm. After 6 months, the wound was measured to be 1.5 cm2, showing a 90% reduction of the wound area. Overall, this combination therapy was highly effective in the treatment of DFU-related osteomyelitis, and could markedly prevent amputation among DFU patients.