VENOUS ULCER--A NEW THERAPEUTIC APPROACH

Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat Iasi. 2016 Apr-Jun;120(2):306-10.

Abstract

Trophic leg ulcer is a major health problem affecting approximately 1-2% of the population, the incidence being higher in the elderly (70-80 years). It is a multifactorial condition, but the most common cause is chronic venous insufficiency. This can be attributed to reflux in the saphenous system and calf perforator vein incompetence. These were first described by Linton, the first intervention designed to correct perforator vein incompetence bearing his name. Today Linton's operation has been abandoned due to the large unaesthetic incision and great postoperative pain. Also, ulcer healing time is long (2 months) and recurrence rate is high. Currently a series of minimally invasive procedures are used to close these perforator veins, such as ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy. The advantages of these techniques are less discomfort to the patients, low rate of complications, short hospital stay.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Length of Stay
  • Recurrence
  • Romania / epidemiology
  • Sclerotherapy* / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional*
  • Varicose Ulcer / epidemiology
  • Varicose Ulcer / etiology*
  • Varicose Ulcer / therapy*
  • Venous Insufficiency / complications*
  • Venous Insufficiency / etiology