Venous Leg Ulcerations: A Treatment Update

Abstract

Selecting the appropriate treatment for venous leg ulcerations is essential for optimal wound healing and patient quality of life. Compression therapy remains the mainstay of treatment for these wounds. Compression methods should be carefully selected and tailored for compatibility with patients' daily life. Pain management should not be neglected. When response to compression therapy is limited, adjuvant therapy such as medication, débridement, or surgical procedures should be considered on an individual basis.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of a hydration response technology dressing in the treatment of venous leg ulcers in the UK

“…The most common cause of lower limb ulceration is attributed to venous hypertension with venous ulceration being reported to affect up to 1% of all adults increasing to 1.7% for those aged over 65 years [2,3]. Furthermore, the prevalence of leg ulceration is known to increase with age [4], with peak prevalence for the development of leg ulceration in patients aged between 60 -80 years [5], therefore, due to an aging population the number of patients affected by venous ulceration is likely to rise. Venous ulceration often takes weeks or months to heal and frequently recur, during the time of ulceration high volumes of exudate may be produced, it is painful and even malodorous and all of these issues can negatively affect patient's quality of life [6,7].…”

Memory Bandage for Functional Compression Management for Venous Ulcers

“…The interface pressure produced by a bandage depends on the complex interaction of many factors-the tension in the fabric, the physical structure and elastomeric properties of the fibers from which it is manufactured, the size and shape of the limb to which it is applied, the application technique (number of layers wrapped) and the nature of any physical activity undertaken by the patient [7]. Achieving desired compression range is difficult as the pressure applied by the bandage is governed by leg attributes (shape or size) and the elasticity or stiffness of the fabric [8].…”

Liquid transmission characteristics of padding bandages under pressure

“…Padding bandage lies underneath the compression bandage that applies significant amount of interface pressure in the range from 10 to 50 mmHg to the leg, 15 depending of severity of venous disease. 16 Under external compression, the porosity or indeed the wicking performance of the padding will change significantly; so it is expected that the liquid transmission behavior of the same padding material will vary when exposed to different levels of normal compression. Clearly, the effect of the external pressure has to be accounted for in the analysis.…”