Modern wound surgery – Surgical treatment options

• Published in: Phlebologie (Stuttgart, Germany) Vol. 42; no. 4; pp. 199 - 204
• Main Authors: I. Stoffels, J. Dissemond, J. Klode
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Schattauer Verlag für Medizin und Naturwissenschaften 2013
• Subjects: Chronic wounds; fasciectomy; shave therapy; venous leg ulcer
• ISSN: 0939-978X

Introduction: The socio-economic impact of chronic venous leg ulcers is considerably caused by the high number of patients, the cost of diagnostics and therapies, the deterioration of the quality of life and the loss of ability to work during illness. This is additionally enhanced by a long lasting course, as well as an increased tendency for recurrences. Discussion: Considering these facts, the surgical treatment options, in otherwise therapy-resistant patients, have a special meaning. Vein surgery and endovenous closure techniques are suitable for the elimination of primary or secondary varicose veins as a treatment option for venous leg ulcers. The so-called shave-therapy is the method of choice for Dermatolipo(fascio)sclerosis. Current long-term results show good results with cure rates of 70-80 %. In individual cases surgical techniques including the crural fascia may be useful. Conclusion: Thus, both the local surgical therapy as well as the complex surgical interventions especially of the venous system plays a growing key role in modern treatment concept of patients with chronic leg ulcers.