Faster healing of venous ulcers with crystacide: a clinical and microcirculatory 8-week registry study.

AIM: This registry evaluated the result of treatment with Crystacide in 73 patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and ulcerations. The local application of a hydrogen peroxide cream (Crystacide, Sandoz) onto the skin was evaluated with clinical and microcirculatory parameters. After briefing, one group used Crystacide and standard management for ulcers, including compression. A comparable group that did not use Crystacide was also evaluated.

METHODS

Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) was used to measure skin perfusion in association with skin TcP02 and TcPCO2. Crystacide was applied around and on the ulcer area for a period between 6 and 9 weeks (with a target time of observation of 8 weeks).

RESULTS

Treatment with Crystacide was more effective. The increased skin flux at inclusion (indicating venus hypertension and microangiopathy) decreased in both groups (improving); TcO2 was increased (P<0.05) and TcCO2 was decreased (P<0.05) in both groups. However, changes in the microcirculatory parameters were significantly larger in the Crystacide group. The average ulcer area was significantly smaller at the average target time of 8 weeks in the Crystacide group in comparison with controls (P<0.05). In the Crystacide group 64.86% of the ulcers were completely healed at 8 weeks versus 38.88% in controls. The difference (+25.98%) in the treatment group is significant (P<0.002).

CONCLUSION

Local treatment with Crystacide improves the healing of venous ulcerations by improving skin perfusion.