Topical haemotherapy for leg ulcers.

Several growth factors, present in the plasma or delivered by blood cells, are involved in wound healing. We have treated 15 chronic atonic leg ulcers by topical application of autologous heparinized blood under a hydrocolloidal dressing. This 'topical haemotherapy' (THT) was applied every other day. After the first THT, 30% of the fibrinonecrotic material had already been removed. After a mean of 9 THT applications (range: 5-18), granulation tissue covered up to 75% of the surface of the ulcer (range: 30-100%) allowing autologous skin grafting. No local or systemic side-effects occurred during the treatment. THT is feasible and well tolerated; it is an easy and inexpensive treatment of chronic leg ulcers that rapidly induces granulation tissue. Growth factors and proteases produced by the blood cells could play a relevant role in this process.