The role of plasma transglutaminase (F XIII) in wound healing of complicated pressure sores after spinal cord injury

Study design: A case report. Objectives: To demonstrate stimulating action of F XIII in wound healing of complicated pressure sores. Setting: A Spinal Cord Injury Center in Germany. Methods: Clinical exam, clinical and photographic wound control, biochemical serum monitoring. Results: Recurrent pressure sores in plegic patients are common complications requiring lone-standing conservative or operative therapy. Additional risk factors such as diabetes increase the complication rate for surgery. Surgery itself may be difficult in recurrent pressure sorts due to limited remaining soft tissues. We report the case and treatment of a 47-year-old patient with long-standing and recurrent ulcers and complications after flap surgery. As a final option we added plasma transglutaminase (factor XIII) to our treatment scheme which changed the course of the disease dramatically and we achieved complete and rapid healing. Conclusion: Our experience suggests that F XIII has a positive role in treating pressure sores as shown already in several other surgical fields. Its use is giving the surgeon an additional tool in complicated cases.