Cultured Epidermal Keratinocytes in the Treatment of Leg Ulcers. Part II.Comparison of the Effect of Cryopreserved and Lyophilized Allografts

Overview

Background:
Application of cultured epidermal keratinocytes (in the form of autografts orallografts) took place in the modern therapy of chronic wounds. The use of cryopreserved allograftsin the therapy of leg ulcers is evaluated in some studies. But there are no clinical experiences withthe use of lyophilized allografts in this indication in our country yet.Objectives: The aim of the project is to compare the cryopreserved and lyophilized culturedepidermal allografts in the treatment of venous leg ulcers.Material and methods: 20 patients with venous leg ulcer were treated by cultured epidermalallografts (10 cryopreserved - group I and 10 lyophilized - group II). The technique of application wasstandardized. We compared the tendency to healing in both groups (healing rate, planimetricevaluation). Results: 9 patients in group I and 7 in group II were healed complety in 3 months (80 %). Themedium healing time was 29.7 days (28.3 in group I and 31.1 in group II). The average area of ulcerswas 10.13 cm2 before application (9.93 cm2 in group I and 10.32 cm2 in group II). After three monthsthe average area was 1.67 cm2 (1.34 cm2 in group I and 1.99 cm2 in group II).Conclusions: The therapeutic effect of lyophilized cultured epidermal allografts could be comparedwith therapeutic effect of cryopreserved ones. These results prefer application of lyophilizedkeratinocytes, because they could be stored and transported at room temperature and the cost ofthe therapy is lower.

Key words:
cultured epidermal allografts - leg ulcers - cryopreservation - lyophilization - keratinocytes