Do Amniotic and Chorionic Grafts Really Help with Diabetic Foot Ulcers?

Lower-extremity diabetic ulcers (LEDUs) affect many people each year. These ulcers need special care. Sometimes, doctors use dehydrated human amnionic and chorionic allografts (DHACAs) to help heal them. These grafts are made from the inner layers of the placenta, a vital part of pregnancy. But not everyone can get them because of coverage issues. So, scientists looked at Medicare data from 2018 to 2022 to see how well these grafts work compared to standard care. They found that DHACAs might lower the risk of serious problems. For example, people using DHACAs might have a lower risk of death within 30 days, major amputations, and emergency room visits. They might also need fewer hospital readmissions. This could mean that DHACAs are a good option for treating diabetic foot ulcers. Doctors and insurance companies should think about these benefits when deciding how to manage these ulcers.