Published online Jun 26, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i18.4797
Peer-review started: January 20, 2021
First decision: March 25, 2021
Revised: March 29, 2021
Accepted: April 20, 2021
Article in press: April 20, 2021
Published online: June 26, 2021
Processing time: 142 Days and 7 Hours
Management of chronic refractory wounds is one of the toughest clinical challenges for surgeons. Because of poor blood supply, less tissue coverage, and easy exposure, the lower leg is a common site for chronic refractory wounds. The current therapeutic regimens often lead to prolonged hospital stay and higher healthcare costs. Concentrated growth factor (CGF) is a novel blood extract that contains various growth factors, platelets, and fibrins to promote wound healing process. However, there has been little research reported on the treatment of lower extremity wounds with CGF.
A 37-year-old man, without any past medical history, presented an ulcerated chronic wound on his right lower leg. The skin defect exhibited clear boundaries, with a size of 2.0 cm × 3.5 cm. The depth of wound was up to the layer of deep fascia. Staphylococcus aureus was detected by bacterial culture. The final diagnosis was right lower extremity ulcers with infection. Cefathiamidine, silver sulfadiazine, and mupirocin cream were applied to control the infection. CGF gel was prepared from the patient’s blood sample, and was used to cover the wound after thorough debridement. The skin wound was successfully healed after three times of CGF treatment.
CGF displays an excellent wound healing promoting effect in patients with lower-extremity chronic refractory wounds.
Core Tip: The effects of the current interventions, such as flap reconstruction, artificial dermis grafting, and negative pressure wound therapy, on chronic refractory wounds may vary among different patients. Concentrated growth factor (CGF) is obtained from the patient’s blood sample, and has a significant amount of growth factors. Here, we report a male patient with lower-extremity wound defects who received CGF treatment. The patient recovered well after three times of CGF treatment. This case highlights the beneficial effect of CGF on chronic wound and provides a novel therapeutic option for lower-extremity refractory wound repair.