Randomized trial comparing cryopreserved cultured epidermal allografts with hydrocolloid dressings in healing chronic venous ulcers.
BACKGROUND
Cultured epidermal allografts have been successfully used to treat a variety of wounds. Their postulated mechanism of action is through release of cytokines that stimulate epithelialization. On the basis of previous experience we expected ulcers treated with cryopreserved cultured allografts (CCAs) to be healed by 6 weeks. Hydrocolloid dressings (HCDs) have also been reported to be effective in the treatment of venous ulcers.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to compare the effectiveness of CCAs with HCDs in healing chronic venous ulcers.


METHODS
Forty-three patients with 47 ulcers were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. Ulcers not healed by 6 weeks were changed to the other treatment.


RESULTS
No difference in the number of healed ulcers between the two groups was observed at 6 weeks. Healing rate, percent reduction of initial ulcer size, and radial progression toward wound closure were significantly greater for CCAs than for HCDs. Pain relief was not significantly different.


CONCLUSIONS
CCAs achieve more rapid healing and greater reduction in ulcer size than HCDs.
Teepe
R G
RG
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Roseeuw
D I
DI
Hermans
J
J
Koebrugge
E J
EJ
Altena
T
T
de Coninck
A
A
Ponec
M
M
Vermeer
B J
BJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001684:Biological Dressings; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003102:Colloids; D015925:Cryopreservation; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004817:Epidermis / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D003102:Colloids