Background: Application of cultured epidermal keratinocytes (in the form of autografts or allografts) took place in the modern therapy of chronic wounds. The use of cryopreserved allografts in the therapy of leg ulcers is evaluated in some studies. But there are no clinical experiences with the use of lyophilized allografts in this indication in our country yet. Objectives: The aim of the project is to compare the cryopreserved and lyophilized cultured epidermal allografts in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. Material and methods: 20 patients with venous leg ulcer were treated by cultured epidermal allografts (10 cryopreserved - group I and 10 lyophilized - group II). The technique of application was standardized. We compared the tendency to healing in both groups (healing rate, planimetric evaluation). Results: 9 patients in group I and 7 in group II were healed complety in 3 months (80 %). The medium healing time was 29.7 days (28.3 in group I and 31.1 in group II). The average area of ulcers was 10.13 cm2 before application (9.93 cm2 in group I and 10.32 cm2 in group II). After three months the average area was 1.67 cm2 (1.34 cm2 in group I and 1.99 cm2 in group II). Conclusions: The therapeutic effect of lyophilized cultured epidermal allografts could be compared with therapeutic effect of cryopreserved ones. These results prefer application of lyophilized keratinocytes, because they could be stored and transported at room temperature and the cost of the therapy is lower.

        Key words: cultured epidermal allografts - leg ulcers - cryopreservation - lyophilization - keratinocytes