VENOUS ULCERATION

BACKGROUND. In the last few years, interest in the pathogenesis and treatment of venous ulceration has been rekindled by novel observations in fibrinolysis and an explosive growth in wound care products, respectively. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this work is to summarize the salient clinical features of venous ulceration, its proposed pathogenesis, and conventional as well as future treatment modalities. RESULT. Venous ulceration is an increasingly common condition. Its pathogenesis is related to failure of the calf muscle pump, and treatment is directed at effective leg compression, avoidance of contact dermatitis, and proper wound care. CONCLUSION. There is increased interest in both the pathogenic steps involved in venous ulceration and in treatment modalities. We suspect that incremental progress will occur in these areas in the next few years.