Heterologous lyophilized collagen in the treatment of chronic cutaneous lesions with loss of substance

The efficacy and tolerability of lyophilized heterologous collagen in the topical treatment of cutaneous lesions of various aetiology characterized by loss of substance were investigated in 22 patient (12 females, 10 males), aged 46.40 ± 10.70. After 3-4 weeks of treatment the ulcers had healed completely, with viable elastic tissue, in 17 patients. In 3 cases the lesions had improved considerably but had not healed completely after 4 weeks of treatment; a much longer time was required before a complete cure was obtained, probably on account of the patients' poorer general condition. In 2 cases in which the collagen was applied on the site from which partial thickness skin grafts had been taken the formation of an excess of granulation tissue hindering epithelization of the wounds was observed; for this reason, treatment with lyophilized collagen was discontinued. The preparation was well tolerated in all cases. Lyophilized collagen proved effective in promoting the formation of granulation tissue and in expediting cicatrization.