[Factor XIII in the treatment of postoperative refractory wound-healing disorders. Results of a controlled study]

The efficacy of factor-XIII concentrate in the improvement of postoperative wound healing disorders (suture dehiscences, fistulae) was examined in 61 patients. In an open, randomised, and controlled trial the results (decrease of wound area, signs of inflammation, wound secretion, drainage volume, contrast x-ray films, and colour photos) were evaluated twice: open judgement by the clinicians themselves and blind judgement by an independent evaluation committee. The blind evaluation of the clinical data showed relevant general improvement in the patient groups treated with factor-XIII concentrate: 61.9% (dosage: 750 IU factor XIII for 3 days) and 76.2% (dosage: 1500 IU factor XIII for 3 days) as compared to 10.5% in the control group without factor XIII substitution. The differences were significant (Mann-Whitney-U-Test, p less than or equal to 0.001). These results would suggest substituting factor XIII activity in plasma above 70% of normal value in case of wound healing disorders.