[Topical hemoglobin promotes wound healing of patients with venous leg ulcers]

Abstract

Background: Improvement of oxygenation is getting increasing attention as an important aspect in the modern wound care. The aim of such complementary wound care approaches is to improve and accelerate wound healing.

Patients and methods: A solution comprising purified hemoglobin was added to the standard wound care procedure of patients with venous leg ulcers and compared to a second group without addition of the hemoglobin. In each group, 36 patients were included. The duration of treatment was 13 weeks. Primary end point was reduction of wound size or wound closing.

Results: In the group treated with the additional hemoglobin solution, an average of 53% of wound size reduction was obtained. No statistically significant reduction was observed in the second group.

Conclusion: The addition of aemoglobin solution in the wound care procedure for venous leg ulcers showed a significant improvement of wound healing in comparison to a control group.