HOW TO MEASURE CHANGES IN EDEMA IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC VENOUS ULCERS

Objective: To assess changes in limb volume and oedema in patients admitted to hospital for treatment of venous ulceration. Design: Prospective study in thirteen patients. Setting: Health Service teaching hospital. Patients: Thirteen patients with venous ulceration for 2 years. Interventions: Patients were admitted to hospital for bed-rest and lower limb elevation for a period of 24 hours. Main outcome measures: Limb volume was measured by water displacement and impedance plethysmography. Results: During limb elevation there was a mean reduction limb volume of 524 mls (95% CI 377-671 mls) after 24 hours of bedrest. This corresponded with a reduction in impedance measured by the impedance plethysmograph of 19.0 ohms (95% CI 24.3 to 15.6 ohms). Conclusion: Measurement of the lower limb volume by water displacement and by impedance plethysmography are likely to be useful methods in the investigation of patients with chronic venous insufficiency.