Therapeutic Potential of a Low-Cost Device for Wound Healing: A Study of Three Cases of Healing After Lower-Extremity Amputation in Patients With Diabetes

摘要

Diabetic foot ulcers constitute a tremendous challenge for patients, caregivers, and health care systems. The high incidence and high financial costs associated with their treatment have transformed them in a health and economic worldwide problem. The increase in population life expectancy and lifestyle changes have facilitated the spreading of diabetes, rising diabetic foot ulcer incidence. Only 60%-80% of the patients achieve healing of ulcers, and the incidence of a second ulcer, in the same or different site of the foot that has had a previous ulcer, is approximately 50% in 2-5 years. In addition, ulcers with duration longer than 4 weeks are commonly associated with bad results in healing and an increased risk of amputation. Three patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have been subjected to treatment with NL.1.2, a low-cost, biocompatible solid device that presented pro-angiogenic properties. The selected patients had undergone amputation, and their wounds, classified as Wagner II, did not show a significant progress in healing after a period of 2-5 months before treatment with NL.1.2. Complete closure of their wounds was achieved in 42-60 days.