[A prospective study on wound-healing hydrogel in treating chronic venous ulcer of lower extremities]

Abstract

Objective: To study the outcome of wound-healing hydrogel in treating chronic venous ulcer of lower extremities so as to find a new therapy.

Methods: From April 2007 to September 2007, 60 patients with chronic venous ulcer of lower extremities were randomly assigned to wound-healing hydrogel group (group A, 30 cases) and control group (normal saline, group B, 30 cases). In group A, there were 24 males and 6 females, aging (57.3 +/- 6.8) years; the disease course was (2.9 +/- 0.7) years; and the ulcer area was (3.4 +/- 0.6) cm2. In group B, there were 20 males and 10 females, aging (60.1 +/- 7.4) years; the disease course was (3.3 +/- 0.9) years; and the ulcer area was (3.1 +/- 0.4) cm2. There were no differences in age, area of ulcer and course of disease between two groups (P > 0.05). The area of ulcer was measured every week after the treatment, and the effect of treatment was evaluated after 15 days.

Results: The ulcer area of 7 days and 14 days after treatment was (2.6 +/- 0.7) and (1.1 +/- 0.2) cm2 in group A, and (2.8 +/- 0.6) and (2.3 +/- 0.7) cm2 in group B, respectively; showing no statistically significant differences 7 days after treatment (P > 0.05), and showing statistically significant difference 14 days after treatment between two groups (P < 0.05). The average healing time was (12.0 +/- 1.7) days in group A, and (31.0 +/- 2.9) days in group B, respectively, showing statistically significant difference (P < 0.01). The results were excellent, good, fair and poor in 16, 9, 4 and 1 of group A, and were in 3, 9, 14 and 4 of group B, respectively; showing statistically significant difference (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Wound-healing hydrogel is effective in treating chronic venous ulcer of lower extremities.