An attempt to treat intractable skin ulcers with autologous dermal graft

Five patients with a total of seven chronic intractable skin ulcers and impaired peripheral blood circulation were treated with autologous dermal grafts which did not contain any epidermal component. These ulcers were refractory to conventional therapy. Results from the dermal grafting were variable, with four of the ulcers (in two patients) healing 1-8 months after 1-5 graftings. These findings suggest the possibility that dermal grafting may be a simple yet effective treatment for deep, super-infected skin ulcers in which tendons and bones have become exposed. Dermal grafting may also provide an additional method by which to treat chronic skin ulcers which do not respond to conventional surgical therapy and where amputation of affected extremities is being considered.