Venous leg ulcers: modern evaluation and management.
BACKGROUND
Venous leg ulcers are common in the adult population and cause a significant social economic burden. Despite their prevalence, venous leg ulcers are often managed inadequately.


OBJECTIVE
To provide an overview of venous ulceration, including a review of the current understanding of the pathophysiology of venous ulceration and the implications for management of venous ulceration.


METHODS
A review of the literature.


RESULTS
Modern methods of investigation have led to an improvement in our understanding of the pathophysiology of venous disease. In many patients, superficial and/or perforator venous disease is the only underlying hemodynamic abnormality. Although compression should serve as the cornerstone of treatment of venous ulceration, surgery and/or sclerotherapy can treat incompetent superficial and perforator veins. Important hemodynamic improvement is obtained, and the long-term prognosis of these patients is greatly improved.


CONCLUSIONS
One must define the basic underlying abnormality of the venous system to form a rational, individualized management plan for the patient with venous ulceration.
Zimmet
S E
SE
Zimmet Vein and Dermatology Clinic, Austin, Texas, USA.
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*