Leg ulcers: report on a multidisciplinary approach.

Abstract

In a Swedish survey, leg ulcer disease has been found to have a prevalence of around 1%. The multifactorial etiology requires a multidisciplinary approach. Forty-three patients with leg ulcers have been examined clinically and by pathophysiological and roentgenological investigations. Proper conservative treatment was instituted in 25 of the patients, and the remaining were treated by venous surgery, arterial surgery and skin transplantation. The previously used therapy only achieved healing in 23% of these patients, but after multidisciplinary assessment and treatment the healing rate was improved to 83%. The ulcer-free period of the whole group was 62% during a follow-up of 24 (3-36) months. The healing of venous ulcers can be improved by a multidisciplinary assessment by a vascular surgeon and a dermatologist.