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Chapter-28 Leg Ulcers

BOOK TITLE: ACS(I) Textbook on Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery

Author
1. Srinivas CR
2. Jayashree R
3. Rai Reena
ISBN
9789350258903
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/11651_43
Edition
1/e
Publishing Year
2012
Pages
12
Author Affiliations
1. PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, Venereology and Leprosy, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, PSG Hospitals and PSGIMSR, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, e-mail: chakravarthi.srinivas@yahoo.com, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Researches, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
2. PSG Institute of Medical Science and Research, Peelamedu, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, PSG Institute of Medical Science and Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
3. PSG Institute of Medical Science and Research, Peelamedu, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Peelamedu, Coimbatore, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, e-mail: drreena_rai@yahoo.co.in, PSG Institute of Medical Science and Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Chapter keywords

Abstract

Ulcers of the lower extremities are a common cause for visits to the surgeon, vascular surgeon or dermatologist. Leg ulcers refer to full thickness skin loss on the leg or foot due to any cause. They occur in association with a range of disease processes and may be acute or chronic. Acute ulcers are those that follow the normal phases of healing; they are expected to show signs of healing in less than 4 weeks and include traumatic and postoperative wounds. Chronic ulcers are those that persist for longer than 6 weeks and are often of complex nature. Of the various causes of leg ulcers, 70% are due to venous disease, 20% have mixed arterial and venous disease, and 10% result from other causes like neuropathy, infections, malignancy and inflammatory causes. Chronic leg ulcer is a difficult to treat condition with 20% chance of recurrences. Hence a methodical approach to identify and treat the factors influencing underlying wound healing would go a long way in preventing recurrences.

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