Abstract

AFONSO, Ana et al. Chronic leg ulcers: experience with 50 patients. Angiol Cir Vasc [online]. 2013, vol.9, n.4, pp.148-153. ISSN 1646-706X.

Objective: To characterize patients with chronic active ulcer, by identifying the vascular pathology involved and therapeutic modalities used and their results. We also want to identify some predictors of delayed healing. Material and methods: A retrospective, descriptive study form data collected between 2000 and 2012, from 50 patients attending a Vascular Surgery. The Data was collected from the clinical file process which included age, sex, presence of comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, previous history of ulcer. It was also defined the etiology through physical examination, complemented with Doppler ultrasound. It as recorded the type of treatment carried out and their results. Results: The average age of patients studied was 69 years, with a slight prevalence of males. Venous insufficiency was present in 56% of patients, predominantly superficial venous insufficiency in 71.4% of patients. Arterial insufficiency was present in 44% of the sample, accounting alone for 18% ulcer 53% of patients with venous ulcer underwent surgery and 47% were treated with compression treatment. The healing rate was similar in both groups, with 60% improvement / ulcer healing. The infection was present in 30% of the patients. Conclusions: Multiple factors are involved in leg ulcers that make the therapeutic approach difficult. In venous ulcers, surgical therapy and compression offer great results, especially if they involve the superficial venous system alone. The arterial involvement and the infection should be excluded as it contributes to a worse prognosis.

Keywords : Leg ulcers; Venous insufficiency; Compression therapy.

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