Abstract： Objective To investigate the efficacy of wound bed preparation (WBP) on the chronic ulcer wound. Methods One hundred and seven patients with chronic ulcer wound admitted to our hospital from Sep 2000 to April 2005 were randomized into two groups. The trial group (n = 58) received WBP as wound management therapy, while the control group(n =49)received traditional wound management therapy. Hospitalization days,pathological changes, wound changes and operation failure rate were compared between two groups. Results The hospitalization days in trial group were (35. 1 ± 26.8) d, shorter than that in control group (49.7 ± 32.9) d (P < 0. 05). HE stain revealed WBP attributed wound changes to wound healing process in trial group. The self-healing rates in trial group and control group were 26% (15/58) and 10% (5/49) (P < 0.05). The failure rate of skin graft operation was 9% (3/33) in trial group and 23 % (6/ 26) in the control group(P > 0.05). The failure rate of transposition of skin flap was 0% (0/10)in trial group and 44% (8/18) in control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions WBP is an effective and scientific wound management therapy and can promote small wound self-healing. WBP management can reduce the failure rate of skin covering operation and accelerate the healing process.