A longitudinal, quality of life study comparing four layer bandaging and superficial venous surgery for the treatment of venous leg ulcers

Objectives Leg ulcers are known to have a profound effect on patients’ quality of life; however, the influence of different treatment approaches is unclear. This review aims to evaluate the comparative impact of conservative treatments and superficial venous surgery, for venous leg ulcers, on patients’ Quality of Life. Data sources Three electronic databases (PsycInfo, Medline and CINAHL), and reference lists of relevant articles, were searched. A total of 209 articles were initially identified, and 16 articles were included in the review. Results The results lend cautious support to the suggestion that all treatments have a positive effect on quality of life, regardless of type, whilst wound status also appears to be an important factor. Conclusions Some evidence suggests that surgical treatment methods may lead to greater improvements in patients’ quality of life than compression bandaging alone; however, future research may focus on the psychological mechanisms underlying such changes.

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Updated leg ulcer pathway: improving healing times and reducing costs

British Journal of Nursing ◽

10.12968/bjon.2019.28.20.s21 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (20) ◽

pp. S21-S26

Author(s):

Leanne Atkin ◽

Alison Schofield ◽

Anita Kilroy-Findley

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Leg Ulcer ◽

Leg Ulcers ◽

Nursing Time ◽

Venous Leg Ulcers ◽

Reduced Costs ◽

Reducing Costs

Regardless of the amount of literature and evidence on leg ulcer management, there are still significant variations in treatment. Implementing a standardised leg ulcer pathway to ensure patients are appropriately and timely assessed could help reduce nursing time and overall costs, while improving healing outcomes and patients' quality of life. Such a pathway was introduced in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire, UK, to treat venous leg ulcers (VLUs). The results showed improved healing times, reduced costs and fewer nurse visits, among other findings.

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Recurrent venous leg ulcers: management in general practice

Practice Nursing ◽

10.12968/pnur.2021.32.6.220 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 32 (6) ◽

pp. 220-225

Author(s):

Annemarie Brown

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

General Practice ◽

Financial Burden ◽

Self Care ◽

Leg Ulcers ◽

Recurrence Rates ◽

Practice Nurses ◽

Venous Leg Ulcers ◽

Primary Prevention Strategy

Venous leg ulcers commonly recur. Annemarie Brown highlights some self-care strategies that patients can use to reduce their risk Chronic venous leg ulcers are commonly seen in general practice and although healing rates for leg ulcers have improved, recurrence rates are high with around 60–70% reported to recur after healing. The primary prevention strategy is the life-long wearing of compression hosiery; however, compliance is low for several reasons including lack of understanding of the need to wear compression hosiery and difficulties applying and removing it. Self-care strategies such as physical exercise and mobility, leg elevation and appropriate skin care, can help to prevent recurrence of venous leg ulcers. Practice nurses are ideally placed to provide this advice, which can help improve patient's quality of life while reducing the financial burden of treating open ulceration for the NHS.

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Surgical management for venous leg ulcers: The role of hope, investment and agency

Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1177/1359105316643380 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 23 (8) ◽

pp. 1075-1084

Author(s):

Philippa Tollow ◽

Jane Ogden

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Surgical Management ◽

Leg Ulcers ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Traditional Treatment ◽

Venous Surgery ◽

Traditional Approaches ◽

Opening Up

A recent systematic review suggests that minimally invasive venous surgery for the treatment of leg ulcers may have a greater impact on quality of life than traditional approaches. A total of 11 participants who had previously undergone surgical management for leg ulcers took part in semi-structured interviews regarding their experiences. Using thematic analysis, three themes were identified: ‘Living in Flux’, ‘Perceptions of Chronicity’ and ‘Expectations’. Surgical treatment may not only improve patients’ quality of life due to treatment of the condition but also by opening up a sense of hope, investment and agency not associated with traditional treatment approaches.

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