Dermal Substitute Template Use in Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Diabetic foot ulcers are a source of significant morbidity. Maximizing limb salvage is an important long-term objective. The use of dermal substitutes to aid limb salvage and reduce amputation rates has been described recently in the literature. Dermal substitutes were initially described in burns and have been demonstrated to be useful adjuncts in the management of these wounds. In diabetic foot ulcer management, the outcomes of the use of the dermal substitutes are limited. The authors describe their experience of the use of INTEGRA®, a collagen–glycosaminoglycan dermal substitute, in 2 patients who presented with diabetic foot ulcers with exposed tendons.