Treatment of ischemic leg ulcers with pentoxifylline: a case report and theoretical considerations

Ischemic ulcers remain difficult to treat. We describe a patient with bilateral ischemic leg ulcers treated preoperatively with pentoxifylline. She had a successful skin graft with no rejection of the graft. The theoretical advantage of treatment with pentoxifylline is discussed, with emphasis not only on its hemorheological properties, but also on its actions on the prostaglandin pathway, platelet aggregation, and thrombosis. We suggest that preoperative pentoxifylline treatment may be a useful adjunct in the closure of ischemic ulcers.