[What should we know about venous and arterial ulcers?].
Chronic venous insufficiency starts by promoting the case of events. This results in pathologic venous and tissue changes consequential to chronic venous insufficiency. In this article, chronic venous insufficiency is defined as an abnormal function of the venous system due to venous valvular incompetence with or without associated venous outflow obstruction, which may involve the superficial venous system, deep venous system, or both. Long-term venous hypertension may present by a variety of clinical manifestations in terms of the severity and duration of venous circulation damage. Venous leg ulcer occurs in distal part of the shin, mostly around medial malleolus. The base of the ulcer is often covered by a yellowish fibrin layer. The surrounding skin is hyperpigmented, usually irritated by ulcer secretion, and inflamed. Arterial leg ulcer is caused by arterial insufficiency. It is round-shaped with dry basis and involves deeper structures, up to tendons. The skin is dry, atrophic, cool, pale, smooth, and hairless. Therapy of ulcers is demanding and consists of numerous general measures, topical and/or systemic therapy. Topical therapy consists of cleansing, mechanical debridement, disinfection and stimulation of granulations and epithelialization with prevention of secondary infection. Therapy with currently available bio-occlusive wound dressings is most effective. These dressings are hydrocolloids, hydropolymers, transparent films, alginate, and ionic silver. Vascular protectors, venetonics and antiaggregation medications can be used in systemic therapy.
Marinović Kulisić
Sandra
S
University Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia.
Lipozencić
Jasna
J
Tunuković
Suzana
S
Milavec-Puretić
Visnja
V
D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology