Chronic Venous Ulceration |
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A 77-year-old man with chronic
venous ulceration presented after yet another failed
skin graft. Most venous ulcers will heal within
the traditional scope of management: good topical
care and compression, followed by venous interruption,
and then excision and skin grafts if needed. However,
when disease is persistent, other care has failed,
and there are essential coverage needs, then excision
and skin reconstruction is required. Upon presentation,
the right medial ankle ulcer was surrounded by extensive
eczematous dermatitis and edema. Necrotic recent
skin grafts were still present.
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After two weeks of basic hygiene,
topical steroids, and compression, acute conditions
were controlled. Because of the given history, healing
was not expected with topical care and compression
alone.
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Ulcer excision exposed the posterior
tibial neurovascular bundle, posterior compartment
muscles, and the Achilles fat space. Integra was
opted for wound management for all of the reasons
mentioned: chronicity, a history of failed care,
and the presence of exposed structures and adverse
biomechanics, which would prevent successful skin
grafting.
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In conjunction with continued
elastic compression, the wound has remained healed
and healthy, seen here at one year.
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Cases Courtesy of:
Marc E. Gottlieb, M.D., Jennifer Furman
Journal of Burns and Wounds, Vol 3, #2