Factors that Influence Healing in Chronic Venous Ulcers Treated with Cryopreserved Human Epidermal Cultures

Abstract

BACKGROUND Cryopreserved epidermal cultures (CEC) offer an “off the shelf” treatment for chronic wounds. These cultures are derived from neonatal foreskin and grow rapidly in vitro to form epidermal sheets. They do not require a biopsy from the patient, an advantage compared to autografts. They seem to act as a biological dressing, stimulating epithelialization from the wound edges and adnexae, probably through growth factor release. OBJECTIVE To summarize our recent experience with the use of CEC in chronic venous leg ulcers and to determine the factors that influence healing in chronic venous ulcers treated with CEC. PATIENTS AND METHODS A single arm, open label study including a total of 11 patients with documented venous ulcers was performed. The study involved the application of cryopreserved epidermal cultures every other week to nonhealing leg ulcers for a total of 12 weeks or until complete healing of the ulcer. RESULTS A total of 11 patients with one or more leg ulcers were treated. The average age was similar in healed and unhealed groups. Seven patients completely healed after an average of 4.14 CEC applications. Four patients did not heal after a total of 12 CEC applications. CONCLUSION Predictors for failure to heal after CEC application in our patients were long wound duration, wound size, presence of lipodermatosclerosis, and history of failed prior split-thickness skin grafts.