Use of a Transcutaneous Carboxytherapy Gel for Treating Small Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Preliminary Investigations

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease affecting millions of people worldwide. One of the many complications of poorly controlled diabetes is chronic nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers which are a significant cause of hospitalization and increase the risk of amputation. Previously, we demonstrated the beneficial effects of transdermal carboxytherapy for treating patients with diabetic ulcers; however, topical carboxytherapy has emerged as a viable noninvasive adjunct for wound healing. Here, we present our initial observations following the addition of a topical CO2 gel to standard wound care for treating small diabetic foot ulcers (CO2 LIFT® Carboxy Gel, Lumisque, Inc.; Weston, FL USA). The product was provided as two components which, when combined, generate CO2 gas for 45 minutes. The CO2 gel was applied at home to foot ulcers three times weekly for 1 month with a sterile spatula. The gel was left in place for 45 minutes and then removed with the spatula. Patients also received oral antibiotics. All ten subjects demonstrated significant clinical after 4 weeks; however, one patient experienced delayed healing due to atheromatous arterial disease, insufficiency in the great saphenous vein, and Boyd perforante. These results suggest real clinical benefits of a transcutaneous carboxytherapy gel as an adjunct for treating subjects with small diabetic foot ulcers. This non-invasive therapy is well-suited for routine home management. A larger, randomized, controlled study is needed to confirm these promising results.