Background: Chronic leg ulcers are painful and cost-intensive diseases associated with severe reductions of the patients’ quality of life (QoL). Autologous keratinocyte transplantation is a highly innovative treatment strategy that includes the in-vitro cultivation and transplantation of epidermal cells previously taken from the patient. Aim: Evaluation of the QoL of patients with severe and longterm chronic leg ulcers undergoing transplantation with cultured autologous keratinocytes (BioSeed(r)-S). Methods: Open pilot study including 21 patients with chronic leg ulcers of different origin (venous, diabetic, arterial). QoL was assessed before skin biopsy, before transplantation, and 2 and 6 weeks after transplantation using a Freiburg Life Quality Assessment (FLQA) module specific for chronic wounds. Clinical outcome was assessed by the degree of wound epithelization and by the reduction of ulcer diameter. Results: Compared to healthy subjects, the QoL scores before treatment were significantly reduced in all FLQA dimensions (physical complaints, everyday living, social life, emotional well-being, satisfaction and treatment). In the treatment course from the time before transplantation to 6 weeks after transplantation, there were significant improvements of QoL in all FLQA dimensions. Clinically, there was a mean increase of epithelization from 28.0 to 91.4% and a healing rate of 61.9% within 6 weeks. Conclusions: This pilot study indicates that the QoL of patients with severe leg ulcers can be significantly improved by autologous keratinocyte transplantation.

This content is only available via PDF.
© 2001 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg
2001
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.