Autologous suction blister grafting for chronic leg ulcers.
BACKGROUND
Non-healing leg ulcers represent a treatment problem.


OBJECTIVE
Investigate grafting of autologous suction blister roofs as treatment.


METHODS
Twenty-nine chronic, non-healing leg ulcers of various aetiologies in 18 inpatients were treated by autologous epidermal grafting using the roofs of suction blisters.


RESULTS
55% of ulcers completely healed 2 to 6 weeks after grafting. A 50-90% reduction in size was documented in 34% and no change was observed in 11% of ulcers. Twelve weeks after grafting, 89% of ulcers were healed completely. In most ulcers, we observed a stimulation of reepithelialization from the wound edge ('edge effect') and an accelerated formation of healthy granulation tissue. During a follow-up period of 12 months, 90% of the ulcers remained healed.


CONCLUSIONS
Grafting of autologous suction blister roofs is an effective treatment option for non-healing leg ulcers. The advantages of the method are its lack of pain, low costs and immediate availability.
Costanzo
U
U
Dermatological University Clinic, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.
Streit
M
M
Braathen
L R
LR
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001768:Blister; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004817:Epidermis / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013396:Suction; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology