title: A novel epidermal growth factor--containing wound dressing for the treatment of hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of a novel wound dressing containing epidermal growth factor (EGF) in a collagen-gel matrix on hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors included 33 hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers found on 31 patients. The EGF-containing dressing was applied 3 times while best practice conservative wound treatment was continued. Patients were followed up with after 1, 2, and 3 months to evaluate (a) the wound size, (b) the ease of application and dissolution of the dressing, and (c) the wound dressing by means of a scale ranging from 1 to 5 (1 = best, 5 = worst).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The protocol was completed by 25 of 31 patients. The reasons for discontinuation were wound infection, pain, and lost to follow-up (n = 2 each, respectively). After 3 months, the average wound surface was significantly reduced (from 33.69 cm to 18.94 cm, P = .023). On a scale from 0 to 100, the wound dressing was evaluated as very easy to apply and highly dissolvable (mean value of 97.14 and 98.11, respectively; 100 = very easy to apply or 100% dissolution). The dressing was generally well tolerated and scored a mean overall rating of 2.16 by healthcare specialists and 2.40 by patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors' results demonstrate that the novel EGF-containing wound dressing was generally well tolerated and safe. Combined with the significant wound surface reduction, it can be regarded as an adequate novel treatment option for patients with hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers.
authors.affiliation: Martin Doerler, MD, is a Dermatology Consultant at the Vein Center, Departments of Dermatology and Vascular Surgery, at Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany. Sabine Eming, MD, is a Professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Cologne, Germany. Joachim Dissemond, MD, is a Professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Essen, Germany. Anneke Wolter, MD, is a Resident in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Cologne, Germany. Maren Stoffels-Weindorf, MD, is a Resident in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Essen, Germany. Stefanie Reich-Schupke, MD, is the Department Head of the Competence Center for Phlebology and Dermatology, Artemed-Fachklinik Prof. Dr. Dr. Salfeld GmbH & Co. KG, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany. Peter Altmeyer, MD, is the Chief Physician and Professor of Dermatology in the Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology at Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany. Markus Stücker, MD, is a Professor at the Vein Center in the Departments of Dermatology and Vascular Surgery at Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doerler
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eming
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dissemond
authors.forename: Anneke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wolter
authors.forename: Maren
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stoffels-Weindorf
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reich-Schupke
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Altmeyer
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stücker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D047070:Bandages, Hydrocolloid / Q000009:adverse effects; D003094:Collagen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D003094:Collagen