PRELIMINARY CLINICAL-TRIALS OF SERUM-FREE CELL-CULTURE MEDIUM AS A TREATMENT FOR CHRONIC ATROPHIC ULCERS

Among the common treatments for chronic atrophic wounds, moist dressin gs are used to create optimal environment and prevent desiccation of t he wound bed. Modified serum free cell culture medium supplemented wit h nonsteroidal anabolic hormones thyroxine, growth hormone, insulin an d transferrin was gelled in 1% Agarose. The gel was applied to the sur face of chronic atrophic wounds (1 ml/cm(2)) once a day. All the wound s included in this study were clear of infection following treatment w ith topical antiseptics and antibiotics. The study was performed on 92 patients suffering from chronic leg ulcers. Etiologies of the ulcers varied from venous insufficiency, arterial insufficiency, insulin-depe ndent and non-dependent diabetic ulcers or combinations of the above. Complete wound closure was obtained in 50 patients. In the remaining 4 2 patients, the treatment was discontinued because of unrelated medica l or psychiatric problems - 13 patients, noncompliance - 16 patients, relocation - 12 patients, and infection - 1 patient.