Keywords
keratinocytes
lower limb ulcers
fibrin glu
How to Cite
Abstract
The occurrence of ulcers in leprosy is mainly due to the existence of numb areas that can easily undergo trauma and burns and thereafter become secondarily infected. This study aimed to treat ulcers in lower limbs of patients with leprosy sequelae through the implantation of autologous keratinocytes. The study consisted of fourteen patients (six with a single ulcer, four with more than one ulcer in the same limb and four with ulcers in both limbs) with a total of 31 ulcers. A fragment of healthy skin was collected and subjected to enzymatic digestion to obtain keratinocytes, which were then cultured for four weeks. The resulting keratinocytes were implanted in ulcers in combination with fibrin glue. Patients were followed for two months and the ulcers were monitored weekly during this time. Ulcers measuring ≤ 9.0 cm high x 5.0 cm wide (23 ulcers) decreased by 68.8% ± 27.1%, with nine of them showing complete healing. Larger ulcers decreased by 50.0% ± 31.9%, with two of these healing completely. Thus, implantation of autologous keratinocytes in combination with fibrin glue was effective in healing and/or reducing the ulcer size and should be considered as an additional ulcer treatment option in patients with leprosy sequelae.
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