The role of plasma transglutaminase (F XIII) in wound healing of complicated pressure sores after spinal cord injury.
METHODS
A case report.


OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate stimulating action of F XIII in wound healing of complicated pressure sores.


METHODS
A Spinal Cord Injury Center in Germany.


METHODS
Clinical exam, clinical and photographic wound control, biochemical serum monitoring.


RESULTS
Recurrent pressure sores in plegic patients are common complications requiring long-standing conservative or operative therapy. Additional risk factors such as diabetes increase the complication rate for surgery. Surgery itself may be difficult in recurrent pressure sores due to limited remaining soft tissues. We report the case and treatment of a 47-year-old patient with long-standing and recurrent ulcers and complications after flap surgery. As a final option we added plasma transglutaminase (factor XIII) to our treatment scheme which changed the course of the disease dramatically and we achieved complete and rapid healing.


CONCLUSIONS
Our experience suggests that F XIII has a positive role in treating pressure sores as shown already in several other surgical fields. Its use is giving the surgeon an additional tool in complicated cases.
Becker
S W
SW
Centre for Spinal Injuries, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Kliniken Bergmannstrost Teaching Hospital, Saale, Germany.
Weidt
F
F
Röhl
K
K
D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D011503:Transglutaminases