Use of autografts for the treatment of leg ulcers in elderly patients.

Human keratinocytes obtained from seven elderly patients who had long-standing leg ulcers of venous or rheumatoid origin were grown into sheets for autografting on to their ulcers on at least one and, in some cases, two occasions. Following the application of the autografts on to the ulcers the appearance of the ulcer base improved with an increase in the vascularity of the granulation tissue and decrease in the amount of exudate. An 'edge effect' was also noted in five cases, with the previously indolent-looking edge of the ulcer appearing healthier and more active. However, over a 4-month follow-up period there was no complete re-epithelialization in any of the ulcers despite these initial improvements.