Several growth factors, present in the plasma or delivered by blood ce
lls, are involved in wound healing, We have treated 15 chronic atonic
leg ulcers by topical application of autologous heparinized blood unde
r a hydrocolloidal dressing, This 'topical haemotherapy' (THT) was app
lied every other day, After the first THT, 30% of the fibrinonecrotic
material had already been removed, After a mean of 9 THT applications
(range: 5-18), granulation tissue covered up to 75% of the surface of
the ulcer (range: 30-100%) allowing autologous skin grafting, No local
or systemic side-effects occurred during the treatment. THT is feasib
le and well tolerated; it is an easy and inexpensive treatment of chro
nic leg ulcers that rapidly induces granulation tissue. Growth factors
and proteases produced by the blood cells could play a relevant role
in this process.