The difficult venous ulcer: case series of 177 ulcers referred for vascular surgical opinion following failure of conservative management.

Journal article

Venous leg ulcers are common, chronic, debilitating, and expensive. Evidence supports use of compression bandaging, with superficial venous surgery in selected cases, but these interventions frequently fail to achieve healing. We describe a series of 152 consecutive referrals from a nurse-led specialist dermatology clinic to a vascular surgical service; a group posing particularly challenging problems. This observational study, with median follow-up of 18 months, describes outcomes in a number of important clinically identifiable subgroups. Its findings may assist service planning and discussion of the surgical role within multidisciplinary ulcer management.

Authors: Neequaye, S; Douglas, A; Hofman, D; Wolz, M; Sharma, R

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Angiology
• Volume: 60
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 492-495
• Publication date: 2009-01-01
• DOI: 10.1177/0003319709332901
• EISSN: 1940-1574
• ISSN: 0003-3197
• Language: English
• Keywords: Varicose Ulcer; Female; Aged; Treatment Outcome; Time Factors; Vascular Surgical Procedures; Follow-Up Studies; Stockings, Compression; Referral and Consultation; Male; Aged, 80 and over; Reoperation; Humans; Adult; Chronic Disease; Wound Healing; Treatment Failure; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive; Middle Aged; Sclerotherapy