Pending questions in venous ulcers management. Report from a Symposium of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies International Congress

Venous ulcers represent the most frequent ulcers and have a high clinical and socioeconomic significance. Nevertheless, pending questions remain on epidemiology, genetic and biomolecular mechanisms, contraindications and risk factors of compression therapy, role of pharmacological therapy. Overall prevalence in the range of 1-2% and point prevalence of 0.08-0.6% can be reduced if risk factors are identified and treated early. In this context, analysis of factor XIII and hemocromatosis gene polymorphisms, with the C282Y and H63D variants, may be of great importance. Also MMP12 gene polymorphism and the imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors are able to impair wound healing via deleterious degradation process of extra-cellular matrix. From a therapeutic point of view, conflicting recommendations exist on relative contraindications, risks and adverse events of compression therapy. Some studies showed that the administration of pentoxyphilline, Micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) and sulodexide was effective in accelerating ulcer healing, but there is no data on the duration of treatment, recurrence rates and cost-effectiveness relationship.

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Role of Four Layer Compression Dressings in Management of Chronic Venous Ulcers

International Journal of Recent Surgical and Medical Sciences ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1708222 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (02) ◽

pp. 42-45

Author(s):

Luv Luthra ◽

Rajendra Prasad ◽

Ranjith Kumar ◽

Nivedita Mitta ◽

Tinku Varghese

Keyword(s):

Lower Extremity ◽

Healing Rate ◽

Randomized Study ◽

Compression Therapy ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Age Group ◽

Duration Of Treatment ◽

Medical College ◽

Venous Ulcers

Abstract Introduction Nonhealing venous ulcers are one of the most common forms of lower extremity ulcers in the present population. It is cumbersome to treat and is associated with high-morbidity and immense treatment expenses. The current treatments include compression therapy. Four-layer compression dressings have proven to be an effective treatment for venous ulcers. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of four-layer compression dressings and to study the rate of healing and duration of treatment with four-layer compression dressings. Materials and Methods A prospective randomized study conducted at MS Ramaiah Medical college which included 70 patients who completed the course of weekly dressings depending on the size of ulcer. The regular four-layer dressings were done by a trained podiatrist in vascular outpatient department (OPD) once a week. The area of the ulcer was calculated using the modified Gilmen formula. Results A total of 70 patients who were compliant with the treatment were included in the study. A considerable percentage (74%) of patients were male and all the ulcers were located at the gaiter area. Most belonged to the age group between 41 to 50 years (25%). The healing rate of ulcers at the end of 4, 8 and 12 weeks were 46.87, 28.12, and 25%, respectively. At the end of 12 weeks, all the ulcers healed.

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The Post-Thrombotic Syndrome

Hematology ◽

10.1182/asheducation-2010.1.216 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2010 (1) ◽

pp. 216-220 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Susan R. Kahn

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Anticoagulation Therapy ◽

Compression Therapy ◽

Secondary Prophylaxis ◽

Compression Stockings ◽

Elastic Compression ◽

Vein Thrombosis ◽

Post Thrombotic Syndrome ◽

Venous Ulcers ◽

Risk Determinants

AbstractThe post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is an important chronic complication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The present review focuses on risk determinants of PTS after DVT and available means to prevent and treat PTS. More than one-third of patients with DVT will develop PTS, and 5% to 10% of patients develop severe PTS, which can manifest as venous ulcers. PTS has an adverse impact on quality of life as well as significant socioeconomic consequences. The main risk factors for PTS are persistent leg symptoms 1 month after acute DVT, anatomically extensive DVT, recurrent ipsilateral DVT, obesity, and older age. Subtherapeutic dosing of initial oral anticoagulation therapy for DVT treatment may also be linked to subsequent PTS. By preventing the initial DVT and DVT recurrence, primary and secondary prophylaxis of DVT will prevent cases of PTS. Daily use of elastic compression stockings for 2 years after proximal DVT appears to reduce the risk of PTS; however, uncertainty remains regarding optimal duration of use, optimal compression strength, and usefulness after distal DVT. The cornerstone of managing PTS is compression therapy, primarily using elastic compression stockings. Venoactive medications such as aescin and rutosides may provide short-term relief of PTS symptoms. Further studies to elucidate the pathophysiology of PTS, to identify clinical and biological risk factors, and to test new preventive and therapeutic approaches to PTS are needed.

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Combined treatment with endovenous laser ablation and compression therapy of incompetent perforating veins for treatment of recalcitrant venous ulcers

Phlebology The Journal of Venous Disease ◽

10.1177/0268355515594075 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 32 (5) ◽

pp. 307-315 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Mustafa Seren ◽

Mert Dumantepe ◽

Osman Fazliogullari ◽

Suha Kucukaksu

Keyword(s):

Laser Ablation ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Combined Treatment ◽

Average Energy ◽

Compression Therapy ◽

Ulcer Recurrence ◽

Recurrence Rates ◽

Endovenous Laser Ablation ◽

Perforating Veins ◽

Venous Ulcers

Objective Patients with healed venous ulcers often experience recurrence of ulceration, despite the use of long-term compression therapy. This study examines the effect of closing incompetent perforating veins (IPVs) on ulcer recurrence rates in patients with progressive lipodermatosclerosis and impending ulceration. Methods Patients with nonhealing venous ulcers of >2 months’ duration underwent duplex ultrasound to assess their lower extremity venous system for incompetence of superficial, perforating, and deep veins. Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of perforating veins was performed on patients with CEAP 6 disease with increasing hyperpigmentation, lipodermatosclerosis, and/or progressive malleolar pain. A minimum of 2 months of compressive therapy was attempted before endovenous ablation of IPVs. Demographic data, risk factors, CEAP classification, procedural details, and postoperative status were all recorded. Results Forty ulcers with 46 associated IPVs were treated with EVLA in 36 patients with CEAP 6 recalcitrant venous ulcers. Treated incompetent perforator veins were located in the medial ankle (85.7%), calf (10.7%), and lateral ankle (3.5%). Endovenous laser ablation was successful in 76% (35/46) with the first laser treatment of incompetent perforator veins and 15.2% (7/46) additional ablation procedures were performed. Of the 46 treated IPVs, 42 (91.3%) were occluded on the duplex examination at 12 months. The average energy administrated per perforating vein treated was 162 joule. Two patients reported localized paresthesia, which subsided spontaneously, but no deep venous thrombosis or skin burn was observed. Conclusion Especially in the case of liposclerotic or ulcerated skin in the affected region, PAP of IPVs is highly effective, safe, and appears to be feasible. Patients with active venous ulcers appear to benefit from EVLA of incompetent perforators in order to reduce the risk of ulcer recurrence.

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Healing venous ulcers with different modalities of leg compression

Phlebologie ◽

10.1055/s-0037-1622150 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 35 (05) ◽

pp. 349-355 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

E. O. Brizzio ◽

G. Rossi ◽

A. Chirinos ◽

I. Cantero ◽

G. Idiazabal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wound Care ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Compression Therapy ◽

Healing Time ◽

Clinical Parameters ◽

Compression Stockings ◽

Local Pressure ◽

Ulcer Size ◽

Venous Ulcers ◽

Unexpected Findings

Summary Background: Compression therapy (CT) is the stronghold of treatment of venous leg ulcers. We evaluated 5 modalities of CT in a prospective open pilot study using a unique trial design. Patients and methods: A group of experienced phlebologists assigned 31 consecutive patients with 35 venous ulcers (present for 2 to 24 months with no prior CT) to 5 different modalities of leg compression, 7 ulcers to each group. The challenge was to match the modality of CT with the features of the ulcer in order to achieve as many healings as possible. Wound care used standard techniques and specifically tailored foam pads to increase local pressure. CT modalities were either stockings Sigvaris® 15-20, 20-30, 30-40 mmHg, multi-layer bandages, or CircAid® bandaging. Compression was maintained day and night in all groups and changed at weekly visits. Study endpoints were time to healing and the clinical parameters predicting the outcome. Results: The cumulative healing rates were 71%, 77%, and 83% after 3, 6, and 9 months, respectively. Univariate analysis of variables associated with nonhealing were: previous surgery, presence of insufficient perforating and/or deep veins, older age, recurrence, amount of oedema, time of presence of CVI and the actual ulcer, and ulcer size (p <0.05-<0.001). The initial ulcer size was the best predictor of the healing-time (Pearson r=0.55, p=0.002). The modality of CT played an important role also, as 19 of 21 ulcers (90%) healed with stockings but only 8 of 14 with bandages (57%; p=0.021). Regression analysis allowed to calculate a model to predict the healing time. It compensated for the fact that patients treated with low or moderate compression stockings were at lower risk of non-healing. and revealed that healing with stockings was about twice as rapid as healing with bandages. Conclusion: Three fourths of venous ulcers can be brought to healing within 3 to 6 months. Healing time can be predicted using easy to assess clinical parameters. Irrespective of the initial presentation ulcer healing appeared more rapid with the application of stockings than with bandaging. These unexpected findings contradict current believes and require confirmation in randomised trials.

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Radiofrequency ablation for markedly incompetent perforators versus compression therapy in the management of post-phelebtic venous ulcers: A randomized controlled trial

Vascular ◽

10.1177/17085381211010022 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 170853812110100

Author(s):

Mohamed Shukri Abdelgawad ◽

Amr M El-Shafei ◽

Hesham A Sharaf El-Din ◽

Ehab M Saad ◽

Tamer A Khafagy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Radiofrequency Ablation ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Compression Therapy ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Venous Ulcers ◽

Group A ◽

Group B ◽

To Receive

Background Venus ulcers developed mainly due to reflux of incompetent venous valves in perforating veins. Patients and methods In this randomized controlled trial, 119 patients recruited over two years, with post-phelebtic venous leg ulcers, were randomly assigned into one of two groups: either to receive radiofrequency ablation of markedly incompetent perforators (Group A, n = 62 patients) or to receive conventional compression therapy (Group B, n = 57 patients). Follow-up duration required for ulcer healing continued for 24 months post randomization. Results Statistically significant shorter time to healing (ulcer complete healing or satisfactory clinical improvement) between both groups (56 patients, 90.3% of cases in Group A versus 44 patients 77.2% of cases in Group B) over the follow-up period of 24 months was attained ( p = 0.001). Also, significantly different ulcer recurrence was recorded between both groups, 8 patients (12.9%) in Group A versus 19 patients (33.3%) in Group B ( p = 0.004). Conclusion In absence of deep venous obstruction, the monopolar radiofrequency ablation for incompetent perforators is a feasible and effective method that surpasses the traditional compression protocol for incompetent perforator-induced venous ulcers in terms of time required for healing even in the presence of unresolved deep venous valvular reflux.

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Post-Bariatric Abdominoplasty: Analysis of 406 Cases With Focus on Risk Factors and Complications

Aesthetic Surgery Journal ◽

10.1093/asj/sjaa067 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 59-71 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Torsten Schlosshauer ◽

Marcus Kiehlmann ◽

Diana Jung ◽

Robert Sader ◽

Ulrich M Rieger

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Wound Healing ◽

Surgical Technique ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

Wound Healing Problems ◽

Bariatric Patients

Abstract Background Post-bariatric patients present a surgical challenge within abdominoplasty because of residual obesity and major comorbidities. In this study, we analyzed complications following abdominoplasty in post-bariatric patients and evaluated potential risk factors associated with these complications. Objectives The authors sought to determine the complications and risk factors following abdominoplasty in post-bariatric patients. Methods A retrospective study of patients who underwent abdominoplasty was performed from January 2009 to December 2018 at our institution. Variables analyzed were sex, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, surgical technique, operative time, resection weight, drain output, and complications. Results A total of 406 patients were included in this study (320 female and 86 male) with a mean age of 44.4 years and a BMI of 30.6 kg/m2. Abdominoplasty techniques consisted of traditional (64.3%), fleur-de-lis technique (27.3%), and panniculectomy without umbilical displacement (8.4%). Overall complications recorded were 41.9%, the majority of these being wound-healing problems (32%). Minor and major complications were found in 29.1% and 12.8% of patients, respectively. A BMI value of ≥30 kg/m2 was associated with an increased risk for wound-healing problems (P = 0.001). The frequency of total complications was significantly related to age (P = 0.007), BMI (P = 0.004), and resection weight (P = 0.001). Abdominoplasty technique tended to influence total complications. Conclusions This study demonstrates in a fairly large sample of post-bariatric patients (n = 406) that abdominoplasty alone can be performed safely, with an acceptable complication rate. Age, BMI, and resection weight are shown to be significant risk factors for total complications. The role of surgical technique needs to be evaluated further. Level of Evidence: 4

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Management of Deep Spinal Wound Infections Following Instrumentation Surgery with Subfascial Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

Journal of Neurological Surgery Part A Central European Neurosurgery ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1720999 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marcus Rickert ◽

Michael Rauschmann ◽

Nizar Latif-Richter ◽

Mohammad Arabmotlagh ◽

Tamin Rahim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Wound Healing ◽

Wound Infection ◽

Spinal Fusion ◽

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy ◽

Wound Infections ◽

Wound Therapy ◽

Postoperative Wound ◽

Deep Wound ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background and Study Aims The treatment of infections following a spine surgery continues to be a challenge. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been an effective method in the context of infection therapy, and its use has gained popularity in recent decades. This study aims to analyze the impact of known risk factors for postoperative wound infection on the efficiency and length of NPWT therapy until healing. Patients and Methods We analyzed 50 cases of NPWT treatment for deep wound infection after posterior and posteroanterior spinal fusion from March 2010 to July 2014 retrospectively. We included 32 women and 18 men with a mean age of 69 years (range, 36–87 years). Individual risk factors for postoperative infection, such as age, gender, obesity, diabetes, immunosuppression, duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, and previous surgeries, as well as type and onset (early vs. late) of the infection were analyzed. We assessed the associations between these risk factors and the number of revisions until wound healing. Results In 42 patients (84%), bacterial pathogens were successfully detected by means of intraoperative swabs and tissue samples during first revision. A total of 19 different pathogens could be identified with a preponderance of Staphylococcus epidermidis (21.4%) and S. aureus (19.0%). Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was recorded in two patients (2.6%). An average of four NPWT revisions was required until the infection was cured. Patients with infections caused by mixed pathogens required a significantly higher number of revisions (5.3 vs. 3.3; p < 0.01) until definitive wound healing. For the risk factors, no significant differences in the number of revisions could be demonstrated when compared with the patients without the respective risk factor. Conclusion NPWT was an effective therapy for the treatment of wound infections after spinal fusion. All patients in the study had their infections successfully cured, and all spinal implants could be retained. The number of revisions was similar to those reported in the published literature. The present study provides insights regarding the effectiveness of NPWT for the treatment of deep wound infection after spinal fusion. Further investigations on the impact of potential risk factors for postoperative wound healing disorders are required. Better knowledge on the impact of specific risk factors will contribute to a higher effectiveness of prophylaxis for postoperative wound infections considering the patient-specific situation.

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Neurovascular changes after four-layer compression bandaging in people with chronic venous leg ulcers

Phlebology The Journal of Venous Disease ◽

10.1258/026835507780346123 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 49-55 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

R Ogrin ◽

P Darzins ◽

Z Khalil

Keyword(s):

Wound Healing ◽

Wound Repair ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Sensory Nerve ◽

Compression Therapy ◽

Clinical Problem ◽

Leg Ulcers ◽

Venous Leg Ulcers ◽

Perfusion Measurement ◽

Compression Bandaging

Objectives: Venous leg ulcers represent a major clinical problem, with poor rates of healing. Ideal treatment is compression bandaging. The effect of compression on neurovascular tissues involved in wound repair is unclear. This study aims to assess the effect of four-layer compression therapy (40 mmHg) on neurovascular function and wound healing in people with chronic venous leg ulcers – 15 people (55 years or older) with venous leg ulcers for more than six weeks. Methods: Basal microvascular perfusion measurement (MPM), oxygen tension (tc pO2) measured at sensor temperatures of 39°C and 44°C and sensory nerve function using electrical cutaneous perception thresholds (ECPT) at 5, 250 and 2000 Hz (corresponding to C, A δ and A β fibres) were assessed adjacent to the ulcer site, and at a mirror location on the non-ulcerated limb. Testing was undertaken before and after therapy for 5–12 weeks of four-layer compression bandaging. Results: There was significant improvement in tc pO2 at 44°C and ECPT at 2000 Hz ( P<0.05) compared with pre-intervention. Changes in basal MPM, tc pO2 at 39°C and ECPT at 5 and 250 Hz after compression therapy did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: Four-layer compression bandaging in people with venous leg ulcers improved some components of neurovascularture in people with chronic venous leg ulcers. Whether this improvement has contributed to wound healing in this study requires further investigation.

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