A comparative study of topical human placental extract with topical sucralfate in the management of diabetic foot ulcers

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of topical human Placental extract in the management of diabetic foot ulcers in comparison with topical sucralfate. Methods: This prospective study included 100 patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Patients were randomized into two groups comprising 50 each. Group I received topical sucralfate, Group II received topical human placental extract dressing.. Initial wound measurement was taken in both the groups before starting their respective treatment that is sucralfate in group II and human placental extract dressing dressing in group I. After four weeks final wound area and percentage of wound reduction was assessed. Results: We found that the mean reduction of wound area in patients treated with topical human placental extract was 14 sq cm and in patients treated with topical sucralfate was 8 sq cm which was statistically significant (p<0.001). The mean percentage reduction of wound area in human placental extract group was 39.04% and in sucralfate group was 29.04%, which showed statistical significance (p< 0.001).In terms of granulation tissue which was assessed at 4 weeks, 48 patients in human placental extract group had 100-75% granulation tissue where as in sucralfate group only 36 patients had 100-75% granulation tissue (p=0.002). Conclusion: Human placental extract dressing therapy in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers was found to be more effective, safe, promoter of wound healing, and hence can be recommended for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.