What's new: Management of venous leg ulcers: Treating venous leg ulcers

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016 Apr;74(4):643-64; quiz 665-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2015.03.059.

Abstract

Venous leg ulcers account for approximately 70% of all leg ulcers and affect 2.2 million Americans annually. After a comprehensive patient and wound assessment, compression therapy remains the cornerstone of standard care. Adjuvant care with topical or systemic agents is used for wounds that do not heal within 4 weeks. Once healed, long-term compression therapy with stockings or surgical intervention will reduce the incidence of recurrence. This continuing medical education article aims to outline optimal management for patients with venous leg ulcers, highlighting the role of a multidisciplinary team in delivering high quality care.

Keywords: management; medical therapy; surgical intervention; varicose veins; venous leg ulcers.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chronic Disease
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Compression Bandages
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leg Ulcer / diagnosis
  • Leg Ulcer / therapy
  • Male
  • Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy / methods
  • Prognosis
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Recurrence
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Skin Care / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Varicose Ulcer / diagnosis*
  • Varicose Ulcer / therapy*
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / methods*
  • Wound Healing / physiology*