The Treatment of Venous Ulceration by Surgery and Elastic Compression Hosiery;A Long-Term Review

Abstract

Seventy-six patients with venous ulceration of 108 legs were treated by the ligation of incompetent calf perforating veins, with saphenous ligation and stripping where necessary and with the addition of knee length elastic compression stockings for those with deep venous reflux. Review at a mean 6 years after treatment has shown that 74% remain healed and there is no significant difference between those with and without deep vein incompetence. Where patients with rheumatoid arthritis and/or arterial insufficiency were excluded, 84% remain healed.