New hope for diabetic patients: how cryopreserved grafts speed up healing

At Baylor Medicine, cutting-edge treatments are redefining patient care. Part of this innovation comes from Dr. Tyler Coye, Baylor Medicine foot surgeon, recognized for being one of the only physicians in the medical center using advanced cryopreserved skin grafts for limb preservation.

Cryopreserved skin grafts function as a skin transplant from a donor. The tissue is collected, cryogenically preserved and applied to the patient, eliminating the need for additional surgeries like thigh skin harvesting. This approach is vital for patients unable to have traditional autografts.

“A major advantage of this technology is the ability to use donated tissue, sparing patients from further surgery,” said Coye, assistant professor in the Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. “It minimizes risk and accelerates recovery, especially for those too fragile for additional procedures.”

Cryopreserved tissue offers a powerful solution. These grafts serve as biological scaffolds, fostering tissue regeneration and accelerating healing. Advanced cryopreservation retains living cells, promoting faster and more complete wound closure.

Unlike other options, the product Coye uses retains both epidermal and dermal layers – crucial for superior integration and long-term healing. This feature boosts graft acceptance and recovery speed.

This advanced graft reduces surgery time by approximately 30 minutes, enhancing surgical efficiency and minimizing patient exposure to anesthesia.

“Our mission is to prioritize patient-centered care,” Coye said. “This technology allows us to make procedures faster, safer and more effective.”

This advancement is particularly significant for patients with diabetes, a chronic condition that disrupts blood sugar processing. Complications such as neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease hinder wound healing and raise infection risks. One of diabetes’ most severe complications affects the feet. Poor circulation and nerve damage often cause chronic wounds that are slow to heal, heightening the risk of infection and amputation. The devastating consequences of amputation highlight the critical need for effective wound care solutions.

“I am very pleased to be able to offer this superior product in the Houston area that provides a groundbreaking alternative for patients at high risk of amputation,” Coye said. “By using cryopreserved skin grafts, we can enhance healing, reduce complications, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.”

By Tiffany Harston, senior communications associate in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery