Authors' objectives:

The aim of this study was to examine the clinical safety and efficacy of artificial skin grafts for patients with chronic skin wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers. Cost-effectiveness was also examined.

Authors' recommendations: The results of clinical trials show that the use of an artificial skin graft plus standard therapy promotes wound closure, resulting in more frequent and more rapid healing of chronic diabetic foot ulcers compared with standard therapy alone. The effect on the healing of venous leg ulcers is not statistically significant. The risks of infection, cellulitis and osteomyelitis are not affected by the use of skin grafts. Over a shorter time frame, the use of artificial skin has increased costs beyond those of standard therapy alone. When the clinical effects and costs are considered over a year, however, the cost savings from fewer ulcer days may result in a net savings associated with the use of artificial skin. Factors that determine cost-effectiveness include the number of pieces of artificial skin used; the healing rates; and the rates of recurrence and infection for venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers. Health care policy decision makers must ensure that expensive artificial skin products are used on patients who are most likely to benefit from their use. This requires careful patient selection and assessment of co-existing medical and local wound conditions. The cost to home care is enormous. More data must be accumulated on the cost-effectiveness of integrating the use of artificial skin products into routine care. The evidence suggests that there may be a role for the use of these products on a small select group of patients.

Authors' methods: Meta-analysis, Economic evaluation

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.ccohta.ca/

Year Published: 2005

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553, Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA)