Effect of autologous epidermal cell suspension transplantation in chronic nonhealing wounds: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND

Chronic nonhealing wounds are difficult to manage. Various substances are being used to heal these wounds. We sought to observe the effects of autologous epidermal cell suspension dressings on chronic nonhealing ulcers.

METHODS

We enrolled patients of the wound clinic at University Hospital, Varanasi, India, with nonhealing wounds of more than 6 weeks' duration. We treated the wound beds with sterile dressings and antibiotics until the swab cultures became sterile. We prepared autologous epidermal cell suspensions from skin grafts and used them on the ulcer beds along with Vaseline gauze dressings. Follow-up visits with patients occurred weekly for assessment of wound healing and other changes.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients enrolled in our study. Of these, 6 patients had completely healed at 12 weeks, 1 patient at 16 weeks and 2 patients at 20 weeks after treatment. We observed a slow healing response in 6 patients, of whom 1 patient had healed completely at 32 weeks and another at 48 weeks. One patient needed skin grafting, and 3 patients were lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Autologous noncultured epidermal cell suspension transplantation seems to be an effective, simple and time-saving method to treat chronic nonhealing wounds.