Effect Of Epidermal Growth Factor On Chronic Leg Ulcers With Anti Septic Dressing: A Study In Bangabandu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh
Abstract
Introduction: Lots of developments and researches are being done in the quest for ideal wound dressings. Epidermal growth factor dressings are one of these new developments and stimulates the cell growth, proliferation and differentiation by binding to its EGFR. There are not so many studies to quantify the rate of healing applied to the chronic non healing ulcers.
Objective: The present study is being done to compare the rate of healing of epidermal growth factor dressings vs. antiseptic dressings.
Materials And Methods: This is a randomized, prospective and comparative study done in the Department of Vascular Surgery, Bangabandu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh From June 2017 to May 2018. Thirty patients with chronic non-healing ulcers and divided into two groups A and B each containing fifteen patients. Group A were dressed with epidermal growth factor and group B were dressed with normal saline. Though the exact mechanism of action of dressing with antiseptic is unknown. Results: This study is done to evaluate the effects of healing in chronic non healing ulcers as evidenced by amount of reduction in ulcer size done by epidermal growth factor dressings and anti-septic dressings for a period of fourteen days in 30 patients, 15 patients with EGF and 15 patients with normal saline. Patients subjected to topical EGF 0.01% GEL dressings were classified under study and those who underwent conventional antiseptic wound dressing were classified as control. Antiseptics are commercially available in pharmacies. Epidermal growth factor is available in the commercial trade name of REGEN-D90 and applied over the ulcers. Patients are evaluated daily from day zero to day 14. On fourteenth day, it is observed by visual analog scale that, there is significant decrease in the size of ulcer and formation of granulation tissue in patients who were dressed with epidermal growth factor when compared to patients dressed with normal saline.
Conclusion: There is significant difference in decrease in size of the ulcer between epidermal growth factor dressing and normal saline dressing. The cost effectiveness, availability, decreased hospital stay and ease of application makes epidermal growth factor a better choice for treating chronic non healing ulcers. Keywords: Wound healing, Epidermal growth factor, REGEN-D, Ulcers. I Introduction The prevalence of leg ulcers is probably between 0.18% and 1 % of the population. And is likely to increase as the average age of the population rises.