Oxidated Cellulose in the Therapy of Chronic Leg Ulcers – Results of Clinical Study

Summary

Objective:
Safety and effectivity of oxidated cellulose (OC) in the therapy of chronic leg ulcers were evaluated at the First Department of Dermatovenereology of the St. Anna University Hospital in Brno during years 2006–2007.

Material and methods:
30 patients with chronic leg ulcers of venous or mixed aetiology lasting for longer than 3 months and without response to standard therapy were involved in the study. Half of patients was treated with the hydrogencalcium salt of oxidized cellulose (group 1), the second half was treated with the pure oxidized cellulose (group 2). Both groups were statistically comparable (mean age, size and duration of ulcers). OC were applied once in 1–3 days for the period of 2 months. Healing was evaluated weekly.

Results:
Double-way ANOVA method was used to evaluate the length of therapy and the effect of therapy depending on the used OC type. After 2 weeks the statistically significant decrease of ulceration size was observed in both patient groups, while in the group 1 the continuous decrease was seen – the reduction of initial size of ulcerations were statistically significant after 3 weeks as well. Similarly, the statistically significant decrease of relative pain value in both groups was observed mostly in the group 1. In this group the pain was significantly lower after the first and the fourth week of therapy.

Conclusion:
Both types of OC accelerate chronic leg ulcers healing especially influencing granulation and epithelisation. After 1 week the pain relief is already evident thus improving the quality of life even before wound closure. Statistical evaluation showed better results in patients treated with the hydrogencalcium salt of OC.

Key words:
oxidized cellulose – leg ulcers – wound healing – quality of life