Modern technologies of venous ulcers treatment in elderly population

Abstract

Venous trophic ulcers take place in the terminal stage of chronic venous insufficiency. The problem of venous trophic disorders is extremely relevant due to the high prevalence among the population. This review considers the comparative characteristics of morbidity data on the example of Germany and the Russian Federation. Particular attention paid to the influence of the course of the disease on patient’s life quality during treatment. The causes of high-cost treatment are reported with approximate calculations for 1 clinical case and total annual costs according to foreign researchers (Australia, Great Britain, USA). The risk factors are discussed in the form of certain concomitant nosologies that significantly aggravate the healing process of ulcers with a brief description of the pathogenesis. The review defines the main goals of the treatment of venous trophic ulcers, as well as separate groups of directions in which it is reasonable to carry out therapeutic measures. Article presents a comparative analysis between the methods of applying compression therapy (elastic bandaging, the use of special stockings) and the influence of the choice on the quality of life of patients. Various methods of topical wound care are described with the obligatory consideration of the stage of the wound process, alternative methods of local treatment are listed (for example, the use of autologous platelet-rich plasma). The efficacy of systemic pharmacotherapy in trophic disorders and the treatment potential of various groups of drugs on the rate of ulcer healing were evaluated. The advantages of using surgical treatment are determined, the main surgical techniques are listed, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each. Possible treatment strategies for elderly patients also discussed. The complexity of evaluating the effectiveness of new techniques and an integrated approach to treatment is shown, which in the future will help to correct the direction of finding new ways to solve the problem of venous ulcers in this specific group of patients.