The most indolent ulcers of the skin treated with porcine xenografts and silver ions.

Cutaneous ulcers associated with Hansen's disease have long been recognized as among the most indolent of all ulcers. We have successfully treated such ulcers with porcine xenograft, achieving healing in ulcers which had been present for as much as three decades. These results suggest that this regimen may be applicable to other cutaneous ulcers wherever skin is missing. The newly available antibacterial effects of silver-impregnated porcine xenografts should have the result of increasing the effectiveness of the treatment still further.