title: Some effects of a topical collagen-based matrix on the microcirculation and wound healing in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers: preliminary observations.
abstract: The microcirculation of the wound bed is a key parameter for improving granulation tissue formation and, hence, wound healing. The aim of this study was to determine whether a wound dressing comprising collagen/oxidized regenerated cellulose has effects over a short term on wound healing. Wounds were evaluated using a clinical wound score; pain associated with wounds was measured using a visual analogue scale. Wound microcirculation was evaluated using a technique based on noncontact remission spectroscopy. A prospective trial was performed in 40 patients with chronic venous leg ulcers (mean age 74 years; range, 43-93 years; 25 females and 15 males). Patients in group A were treated with PROMOGRAN Matrix (Johnson& Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ) combined with "good" ulcer care for 2 weeks. Control group B consisted of 10 patients who received only good ulcer care. The authors measured a favorable clinical response in 76.9% (group A) versus 66.7% (group B). The mean reduction of ulcer area was statistically significant in group A (P < .05). The wound score improved in group A from 2.28 +/- 1.24 (before treatment) increasing to 3.72 +/- 1.57 (after 1 week; P < .00023) and 4.92 +/- 1.68 (after 2 weeks; P < .000027). In group B, the score improved from 1.44 +/- 1.33 (before treatment) to 3.22 +/- 1.30 (after 1 week; P < .0077). The mean visual analogue pain score before treatment was 8.72 (group A) and 7.88 (group B) (ns, P > .05). After 1 week of treatment, the score dropped to 5.76 (group A) and 6.66 (group B). In the second week, group A patients had a mean pain score of 3.84 compared with the pain score before treatment (P < .05). After 1 week of treatment, in group A there was a decrease in remission spectroscopy, which is considered to reflect an improvement in microcirculation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Academic Teaching Hospital of the Technical University of Dresden, Germany. wollina-uw@khdf.de
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wollina
authors.forename: Wolf-Dieter
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Krönert
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nelskamp
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scheibe
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fassler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001458:Bandages; D002483:Cellulose, Oxidized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003094:Collagen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D002483:Cellulose, Oxidized; D003094:Collagen