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Venous Ulcers: Review Article

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Abstract

Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are the most common and challenging leg ulcers to manage. They are caused by venous congestion due to failure of calf pump or non-functional venous valves. These ulcers are characterized by delayed healing and high recurrence rate. They are associated with pain, physical dysfunction, depression, and social isolation. They adversely affect the quality of life by not healing for years and recurring again and again. It is such an important health issue that huge amount of literature has been published until now. There are various consensus documents, algorithms, and guidelines on assessment and management of VLUs. We want to review the published literature in this field and to summarize the latest knowledge in a single document. This in turn will be useful to the treating physicians to update their current knowledge. Among recent advances on venous leg ulcers, one is modified CEAP classification which was published in 2020. The aim of our review is to provide an updated single educational tool for the clinicians dealing with venous leg ulcers. Treatment of venous leg ulcers requires complete and update knowledge about the disease. It involves understanding the role of existing venous disease in venous leg ulcers. As a clinician dealing with this issue, he must individualize management plan. Compression is the mainstay of the treatment along with other adjuncts. Early venous intervention is very important in healing and prevention of recurrence of the ulcers.

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Jindal, R., Chaudhary, P., Gupta, B. et al. Venous Ulcers: Review Article. Indian J Surg 85 (Suppl 1), 121–132 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-021-03064-x

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