In a recent study comparing the healing properties of the current standard of care, EpiFix, and Apligraf on persistent diabetic foot wounds, EpiFix, a dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane allograft (dHACM), came out as the clear winner. The wounds treated in this clinical study were controlled to be of the same size and type, having failed previous conservative care, and having been present for at least four weeks. During the first two weeks of treatment, all participants received the current standard of care, consisting of an alginate dressing, a diabetic fracture boot, and a 3-layer dressing applied each day.

After the standard of care period, any individuals with wounds that did not heal by greater than 20% would be randomized into one of three groups, where they would either continue to receive standard of care, or would be treated with wound care products from Apligraf or EpiFix. Those in the standard of care group would continue to receive daily dressings, while the EpiFix and Apligraf groups would be fitted with the products once each week by a physician. Four weeks into the second segment of the study, EpiFix was outperforming Apligraf by well over 100%. The results were just as powerful at six weeks. The most important finding of the study, however, might be the fact that EpiFix’s median time to healing was 3 times faster than that of Apligraf at just 13 days.

Charles M. Zelen, DPM, FACFAS
Contracted Research: MiMedx