Adipose Derived Regenerative Cell Therapy for Treating a Diabetic Wound: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have reported on the use of adipose derived regenerative cells (ADRC) as a therapeutic method in wound healing. The present study introduces the first application of successful ADRC therapy for a diabetic foot wound.

CASE REPORT: A 63-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus complaining of an opened necrotic wound in the plantar aspect of the right foot was admitted by another surgeon for debridement surgery. Despite multiple efforts, a Chopart's amputation was performed to salvage rest of the foot. In the early postoperative period, a 2 cm x 2 cm circular ulcer at the heel region and a 1 cm x 2 cm unhealed wound at the previous incision site had formed. Due to resistant diabetic ulcers, the patient was introduced to ARDC therapy (informed consent was obtained). The Celusion SystemTM (Cytori Therapeutics, Inc, San Diego, CA) was used for autologous generation of ARDC cells-1 cc of the ARDC was mixed with 40 cc of fat graft. Afterward, the ARDC-enriched fat graft was introduced to the heel and plantar region to restore the deficient glabrous tissue. The remaining 4 cc of ARDC were equally injected in a radial fashion to the wound edges.

RESULTS: In the postoperative follow-up, accelerated wound healing was observed and the ulcers were completely healed after 4 weeks of ARDC treatment.

CONCLUSION: ARDC therapy has the potential to be a promising new therapeutic modality for treating diabetic wounds.