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. 2010 Feb;53(1):6-10.

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

Vijay K Shukla  1 , Satyendra K Tiwary, Shruti Barnwal, Anil K Gulati, Shyam S Pandey
Affiliations

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

Vijay K Shukla et al. Can J Surg. 2010 Feb.

Abstract
in English, French

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.

Contexte: La prise en charge des plaies chroniques qui ne guérissent pas pose un défi. Diverses substances existent pour favoriser la cicatrisation de ces plaies. Nous avons voulu observer les effets de pansements à base de suspension de cellules épidermiques autologues sur des ulcères chroniques.

Méthodes: Pour cette étude, nous avons recruté les participants parmi les patients de la clinique de traitement des plaies de l’Hôpital universitaire de Varanasi, en Inde; les patients choisis avaient des plaies qui persistaient depuis plus de 6 semaines. Nous avons traité les plaies au moyen de pansements stériles et d’antibiotiques jusqu’à ce que les cultures de spécimens soient négatives. Nous avons préparé des suspensions de cellules épidermiques autologues à partir de greffons cutanés et les avons appliquées sur les ulcères avec des pansements de gaze imprégnés de Vaseline. Nous avons ensuite procédé à un suivi hebdomadaire des patients pour vérifier la cicatrisation de leurs plaies et autres changements.

Résultats: Nous avons inscrit 15 patients à notre étude. Parmi eux, 6 ont présenté une cicatrisation complète à 12 semaines, 1, à 16 semaines, et 2, à 20 semaines suivant le traitement. Nous avons observé une cicatrisation lente chez 6 patients, dont un a connu une guérison complète à 32 semaines et un autre, à 48 semaines. Un patient a dû subir une greffe de peau et 3 n’ont pu être retracés au suivi.

Conclusion: L’inoculation d’une suspension de cellules épidermiques autologues non cultivées semble une méthode efficace, simple et rapide de traitement des plaies chroniques qui ne guérissent pas.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Outcomes of 15 patients who underwent autologous epidermal cell suspension transplantation to treat chronic nonhealing wounds.
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