True long-term healing and recurrence of venous leg ulcers following SEPS combined with superficial venous surgery: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The role of perforator surgery remains unclear in the management of patients with leg ulcers. The aim of this study was to assess long-term healing and recurrence rates of leg ulcers following surgical intervention with combined Subfascial Endoscopic Perforator Surgery (SEPS) and superficial venous surgery. METHOD: Case series with prospective long-term follow-up of 90 consecutive patients operated on with open (CEAP C6) or healed (CEAP C5) venous ulcers in 97 legs. Popliteal vein reflux was present in 21 legs. All 97 legs were treated with SEPS and 87% had additional superficial venous surgery. Patients were follow-up for a median of 77 months (range 60-112 months) with a minimum of 5 years. RESULTS: 87% of all ulcerated legs healed. The three and five year recurrence rates were 8% and 18% respectively among survivors. In a multivariate Cox regression analysis previous vein surgery was the only factor significantly associated with recurrent ulceration (p=.004). CONCLUSION: SEPS combined with superficial venous surgery leads to healing with a low recurrence rate in patients with open and healed venous ulcers. Previous venous surgery was found to be a significant risk factor for ulcer recurrence. This result emphasizes the importance of assiduous technique for varicose vein surgery and suggests a continuing role for perforator surgery in leg ulcer patients.     

A colour Doppler ultrasound study of venous reflux in patients with chronic leg ulcers.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the distribution of superficial and deep venous reflux in patients with chronic leg ulcers. MATERIALS: retrospective study of 186 patients with chronic leg ulcers (212 lower limbs). RESULTS: in 127 legs without arterial disease and a history of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), 62 (49%) had superficial, 45 (35%) had superficial and deep, and 14 (11%) had isolated deep venous reflux. In legs with a previous DVT, isolated deep venous reflux was more common (21/55, 38%) but superficial reflux, often in combination with deep reflux, still predominated (56%). CONCLUSIONS: a large part of the venous insufficiency causing venous leg ulcers is superficial and suitable for varicose vein surgery. In patients with chronic leg ulcers most reflux affects the superficial system and is potentially suitable for surgical correction.     

Oxidative stress in chronic venous leg ulcers

Venous leg ulcers are common and cause considerable morbidity in the population. As healing may be slow or may never be achieved, ulcers create persistent and substantial demands on clinical resources. Great efforts have been made to accelerate tissue repair in chronic venous leg ulcers with limited success. This may at least be partly due to the limited knowledge on the microenvironment of chronic wounds. In fact, the tremendous impact of the microenvironmental conditions on the outcome of wound healing has increasingly become apparent. Oxidative stress as a consequence of an imbalance in the prooxidant-antioxidant homeostasis in chronic wounds is thought to drive a deleterious sequence of events finally resulting in the nonhealing state. The majority of reactive oxygen species are most likely released by neutrophils and macrophages and to an unknown extent from resident fibroblasts and endothelial cells. As the inflammatory phase does not resolve in chronic wounds, the load of reactive oxygen species persists over a long period of time with subsequent continuous damage and perpetuation of the inflammation. In this article, we will critically discuss recent findings that support the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of nonhealing chronic venous leg ulcers.     

下肢慢性静脉溃疡的综合治疗

目的探讨下肢慢性静脉溃疡的综合治疗方法。方法回顾性分析2012年7月~2013年1月我科收治的10例下肢慢性静脉溃疡患者（10条患肢）的临床资料,均采用大隐静脉高位结扎加抽剥并联合应用透光曲张静脉刨吸术、泡沫硬化剂注射、腔镜深筋膜下交通静脉结扎术等方法处理小腿病灶。分别在术前及术后3个月对临床症状的改善情况采集数据,按临床严重程度评分（VCSS）方法进行评估。结果患者均成功实施联合手术治疗方案,在术后的VCSS评分项目中得到改善[（12.3±2.06）v s （9.6±1.71）]。随访（6.70±1.45）个月,疼痛较前均有缓解,未发现患肢有曲张浅静脉残余或复发,8例溃疡基本愈合,仅有2例还有残余溃疡,但都控制在2 cm内,已愈合的溃疡未见复发。结论下肢慢性静脉溃疡经正确选择联合治疗方案进行处理后的效果是理想且安全的,而且其短期效果稳定。     

Residual venous reflux after superficial venous surgery does not predict ulcer recurrence.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of venous reflux in ulcer recurrence following saphenous surgery. METHODS: Ulcerated legs (CEAP 5 and 6) with saphenous reflux were treated with superficial venous surgery plus compression as part of a clinical trial. Patients unfit for general anaesthesia (GA) underwent limited surgery under local anaesthesia (LA). Reflux in superficial and deep segments and venous refill times (VRTs) were assessed before surgery and 3-12 months post-operatively using duplex and digital photoplethysmography respectively. RESULTS: Of 185 patients treated with surgery, 15 failed to heal and 26 did not have a follow-up duplex. Within 3 years, 25 of the remaining 144 patients (17%) developed ulcer recurrence. Using a Cox regression model, the presence of residual venous reflux and change in reflux pattern were not found to be risk factors for ulcer recurrence (p=ns). LA was used in 4/25 patients who recurred compared to 28/119 who did not (p=0.60; Chi-square test). For legs with recurrence, median VRT before surgery was 10.5s (range 5-29) compared to 11s (range 6-36) after surgery (p=0.097, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test). However, in legs without recurrence, median VRT increased from 10s (range 3-48) to 15s (range 4-48) after surgery (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Residual reflux following saphenous surgery is not the most important predictor of venous ulcer recurrence. Poor venous function as demonstrated by VRT may be a better predictor of recurrence in these patients.     

Surgery of venous leg ulcers.

Numerical data are presented to prove the endemic nature and importance of the varicose and postthrombotic syndrome. The fact that even in the most fortunate cases conservative therapy can bring about only temporary improvement, has directed attention to surgical methods. The surgical methods of treatment of varicos (VS) and postthrombotic (PS) syndrome are reviewed. The surgical procedure considered adequate is described. It consists of the following steps. After phlebography, in the case of satisfactorily functioning deep veins, the superficial venous system is extirpated according to Trendelenburg, Madelung and Babcock, the insufficient perforants are exposed and ligated, the ulcer is excised deeply and broadly into the intact tissue. The effect is covered at a later date with a semi-thick skin graft. The importance of supplemental conservative methods (preparation and postoperative treatment) is stressed. This complex therapy was applied in 112 severe cases of venous failure; in 96% the result was excellent, in 3% adequate and in 1% poor. The guiding principles for the successful solution of chronic venous failure are a correct diagnosis and a correctly performed operation. Only proper care can guarantee good results.     

下肢慢性静脉性溃疡病因学的研究进展

下肢慢性静脉溃疡（CVLU）是下肢慢性静脉功能不全（CVI）最严重和难治的并发症,以下肢静脉系统持续高压为特征,其临床主要表现为皮肤破溃、下肢疼痛,常伴随有下肢静脉曲张及皮肤色素沉着等症状,多好发于小腿中下段前内侧、外踝以及足背,常为单发,也可为多发,久治不愈或是反复发作,给患者的生活及工作造成极大的影响,甚至使其丧失劳动能力,严重地影响了患者的健康,降低了患者的生活质量。高发病率、难治性及高复发率使CVLU成为临床工作中较为棘手的问题,其致病危险因素较多且复杂,病因及发病机制尚未完全统一,迄今已有多种不同的解释和理论,本文就近年来CVLU病因学的研究进展作一综述。     

Pinch grafts in the treatment of chronic venous leg ulcers

Summary 130 patients with 170 chronic recurrent venous ulcers of the leg treated with pinch grafts following elimination of underlying venous disease are presented. Pinch grafts, when used by the method described, form a soft, pliable and highly resistant skin cover which withstands the stresses of daily life.     

下肢静脉溃疡患者溃疡复发的高危因素分析

背景与目的：下肢静脉溃疡是下肢慢性静脉功能不全后期严重的并发症,复发率高,可导致患者住院时间延长、加重患者经济负担、降低劳动能力、增加残疾等。因此,本研究探讨下肢静脉溃疡患者溃疡复发高危因素,旨在为有效预防下肢静脉溃疡复发提供临床依据。方法：回顾性分析厦门大学附属中山医院2021年1月—2022年9月收治的下肢静脉溃疡患者的临床资料。用单因素与多因素Logistic分析下肢静脉溃疡患者复发的高危因素。结果：共纳入下肢静脉溃疡患者182例,所有患者均在慢性伤口门诊接受规范化换药治疗。下肢静脉溃疡复发率为47.2%。单因素分析结果发现,有无行手术干预(χ²=19.206,P=0.000)、有无穿弹力袜(χ²=23.590,P=0.000)、是否重体力活动(χ²=29.495,P=0.000)、是否大量吸烟(χ²=9.173,P=0.002)与溃疡的复发明显有关。多因素Logistic分析结果显示,年龄>60岁、BMI>24 kg/m²、女性、有无手术干预、是否穿弹力袜、...     

Micropunch grafting for healing of refractory chronic venous leg ulcers

BackgroundChronic venous ulcers are a serious problem for both patients and physicians. The CEAP classification (clinical manifestations (C), etiologic factors (E), anatomic distribution of disease (A), and underlying pathophysiologic findings (P)) for chronic venous disorders (CVD) was developed in 1994. Published papers on CVD use all or part of the CEAP. Micropunch grafts, which are a variation of skin grafts, have been used with great success in plastic surgery for both esthetic and reconstructive purposes. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of micropunch grafting in the treatment of chronic refractory venous ulcers.MethodsPatients with chronic venous ulcers who did not respond to conservative treatment for more than 6 months were included in the study. All patients underwent ulcer coverage by micropunch skin grafts using a micrometer. The patients were discharged on the same day as the surgery. Micropunch skin grafts were manually counted per square centimeter intraoperatively and during follow-up using Dermlite Dermatoschope? II Pro HR. Patient satisfaction was assessed by using a questionnaire.ResultsTwenty patients underwent the surgery. Most of the patients were middle-aged males. The ulcers were predominantly small- and medium-sized. The mean operation time was 167.00 ?± ?86.01 ?min. After 6 months, the survival rate of the planted micrografts was 84%. Three ulcers had graft loss and two patients had an infection at the ulcer site, which was managed conservatively. The patients were followed-up for 14 months.ConclusionMicropunch grafting is a useful and convenient method for the treatment of difficult venous ulcers and can be performed on an outpatient basis.     

下肢慢性静脉性溃疡病因学及治疗研究

下肢慢性静脉性溃疡( CVLU)是下肢静脉功能不全的常见并发症.许多CVLU反复发作,久治不愈,形成难治性溃疡,成为临床治疗中的辣手问题.笔者就近年来CVLU病因学研究进展,分期疗法和个体化治疗方法进行评价及综述.     

Aetiology of chronic leg ulcers.

This study was undertaken to determine the relative prevalence of the factors causing chronic ulceration of the leg in the general population. Two hundred and fifty-nine patients with chronic ulceration of the leg were found on screening a Western Australian population of 238,000. (The prevalence of chronic ulceration of the leg was 1.1 per 1000 population.) Two hundred and forty-two of these patients (93%) with 286 chronically ulcerated limbs were fully assessed to determine the factors contributing to ulceration. In 239 limbs (84%) ulceration involved the leg; in these limbs venous disease was the most prevalent cause of ulceration (160 limbs). Arterial disease was found in 66 limbs, with both venous and arterial disease present in 35 limbs. Rheumatoid arthritis was a causative factor in 27 limbs and diabetes was found with 29 limbs with ulceration involving the leg. In 47 limbs (16%) ulceration was confined to the foot; arterial disease (35 limbs) and diabetes (23 limbs) were the most prevalent causes of ulceration in these limbs. Venous disease was infrequent (three limbs). No disorder of the circulation was found in 48 limbs (20%) with ulceration involving the leg, and in 58 (20%) of all ulcerated limbs. More than one aetiological factor was present in 93 limbs (33%). A cause for ulceration was not found in 10 limbs (3.5%).     

The healing of chronic venous leg ulcers with prepared human amnion

Forty chronic venous leg ulcers were treated, before split skin grafting, with human amnion prepared in one of the four following ways: tissue-culture-maintained, frozen, fresh or lyophilised. Although there was no significant statistical difference in the results obtained with the different preparations of amnion, we found that lyophilised amnion was at least as good as the other preparations in promoting a good take of the skin grafts and was the simplest to store and use. It also produced the shortest healing times. Frozen and fresh amnion were easier to prepare than lyophilised amnion but gave a lower graft take and a longer healing time. Tissue-culture-maintained amnion was the most difficult to prepare and gave the poorest results. Its use was abandoned during the trial because of technical difficulties and a high infection rate.     

Evaluation and treatment of leg ulcers associated with chronic venous insufficiency

The successful management of patients who have leg ulcers related to chronic venous disease requires optimal management of the wound bed, elimination of edema with compression, and correction of venous hypertension whenever possible. Healing of the wound itself requires compression, debridement, bacterial control, and stimulation of the wound bed. Prevention of ulcer recurrence is most effective if the patient is amenable to correction of the venous insufficiency. This is most successful when the superficial or perforator veins are the primary source. Quality diagnostic studies are critical in determining the anatomy and hemodynamic importance of various venous abnormalities and can guide appropriate interventional treatment. Venous corrective procedures usually can be performed using minimally invasive endovenous methods, which are associated with fewer complications and more rapid recovery than are major surgical techniques.     

Layered shaving of venous leg ulcers

A method for the quick preparation of refractory venous ulcer beds for autografting is described. Irrespective of their clinical or bacteriological state, ulcer granulations and other products of frustrated healing are shaved in layers down to an even and surgically clean base using an ordinary skin grafting knife. Our experience with 32 consecutive patients (58 ulcers) is reported. The mean duration of hospital stay, the patient being completely healed on discharge, was 18.3 days. This represents a decrease of more than 3 weeks when compared to a previously used standard method. No investigation into the question of recurrence was carried out as available evidence, which is critically reviewed, indicates no significant relation between the method of grafting and the incidence of recurrence.