Background:

We conducted a study to assess the efficacy of EGF in accelerating the healing of chronic leg ulcers

Methods:

In a single–blind, placebo–controlled clinical trial, 50 patients,(24 women and 26 men, age range: 25–75 years) were treated with topical EGF, and 50 controls (31 men, 19 women, age range: 28–72 years) were treated with normal saline dressing. Both groups were otherwise treated by wound debridement and irrigation with normal saline solution, systemic antibiotic therapy and daily wound dressing. The treatment and follow–up period was 6 weeks.

Results:

After 6 weeks, average wound closure in the treatment group was significantly greater than in placebo (84% vs 26% p = 0.03). Complete wound closure as a result of treatment was observed in 12 patients in EGF group and in 2 patients from the Placebo group.This study demonstrates a potential effect of topical EGF in significantly speeding up wound healing in chronic leg ulcers.