Clinical Usage of an Extracellular, Collagen-rich Matrix: A Case Series

OASIS Ultra (Smith and Nephew, St. Petersburg, FL) is an extracellular, collagen-rich matrix derived from submucosa of porcine intestine. It is composed of collagen type I, glycosaminoglycan, and proteoglycans. This extracellular matrix (ECM) differs from the single layer in thickness and offers ease of handling and application. It also stimulates cell migration and structural support, provides moisture environment, decreases inflammation, and induces cell proliferation and cellular attachments. In this case series, the authors present their experience with this product in various clinical scenarios.

The authors used the product in a variety of wounds with different etiologies to test the clinical outcome of the ECM. This was an observational case series with prospective review of 6 different patients with different types of wounds who received treatment with the ECM during their treatment. The product was applied on the following types of wounds: chronic venous ulcer, nonhealing Achilles tendon vasculitic wound, Marjolin's ulcer, posttraumatic wound, stage IV sacral-coccygeal pressure wound, and complicated transmetatarsal amputation of gangrenous left forefoot diabetic wound.

All of these wounds healed within the expected time periods and without complications. In general, healing was achieved in 4-16 weeks using 1-12 applications of the ECM.

Wounds with different etiologies were successfully treated with an extracellular, collagen-rich matrix. By replacing the lost ECM to guide cellular growth and migration, this product did ultimately hasten the healing process.