Chronic wounds pose a significant challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. Skin grafts, including autografts, allografts, and xenografts, are often employed to promote wound closure. Fish skin xenografts derived from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) have emerged as a promising option for treating chronic wounds. This study compared the efficacy of fish skin grafts against dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane allograft (dHACM) in healing acute full-thickness wounds in healthy volunteers, simulating a freshly debrided chronic wound.
Fish Skin vs. dHACM: A Head-to-Head Comparison
This randomized, controlled, double-blind study involved 170 acute, 4mm diameter, full-thickness wounds created on healthy volunteers. Each volunteer received two identical wounds, one treated with fish skin and the other with dHACM. The primary endpoint was time to complete epithelialization, assessed at days 14, 18, 21, 25, and 28.
Study Results: Fish Skin Demonstrates Superior Healing
A mixed Cox proportional hazard model was used to analyze the data. The results revealed that wounds treated with fish skin healed significantly faster than those treated with dHACM (hazard ratio 2.37; 95% confidence interval: 1.75-3.22; p = 0.0014).
Conclusion: Fish Skin Offers a Promising Alternative
This study indicates that fish skin xenografts may offer a more effective treatment option for chronic wounds compared to dHACM. The faster healing observed with fish skin could potentially translate to reduced healthcare costs and improved patient outcomes. Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in a larger population of patients with chronic wounds.
