Effect of Epidermal Growth Factor on Full Thickness Skin Defects of the Inoperable Patients

ABSTRACT

For treatment of full thickness skin defects caused by trauma or infections, skin grafts or flaps have been the treatment of choice to date. However, in patients who are not candidates for surgery, either due to his general conditions or refusal to receive treatment, supportive methods have been the only means of care, which inherently caused psychological trauma to the patient due to uncertainties of ultimate outcome and the length of treatment. This study aimed to heal full thickness skin defects through application of topical epidermal growth factor in patients who have received 2 to 3 weeks of conservative management using medifoam B(R) without improvement. Six patients from March 2002 to July 2004 were enrolled. The mean size of defects was 5.4x4.6cm in 4 patients with carcinoma and 6.4x4.1 cm in 2 patients with osmidrosis. Commercially available 0.005% EGFR solution was used, and dressing was performed once daily. All patients benefitted from the use of EGF, with closure of skin defects taking an average of 28 days in cancer patients and 22.5 days in osmidrosis cases. EGF can be used as a supportive mean of treatment in the inoperable patients with skin defects, with resultant hastening of healing shortening duration of treatment.