Leg Ulcer

Ulceration of the skin and underlying structures of the lower extremity. About 90% of the cases are due to venous insufficiency (VARICOSE ULCER), 5% to arterial disease, and the remaining 5% to other causes.

Also Known As:

Networked: 1578 relevant articles (134 outcomes, 271 trials/studies)

Relationship Network

Disease Context: Research Results

Related Diseases

1.	Ulcer
2.	Wounds and Injuries (Trauma)
3.	Pain (Aches)
4.	Pressure Ulcer (Bedsore)
5.	Leg Ulcer

Experts

1.	Dissemond, J: 17 articles (12/2014 - 06/2001)
2.	Nelson, E A: 13 articles (03/2011 - 01/2000)
3.	Vanscheidt, W: 12 articles (03/2014 - 05/2000)
4.	Romanelli, Marco: 9 articles (01/2015 - 03/2005)
5.	Kirsner, Robert S: 9 articles (01/2015 - 06/2004)
6.	Harding, Keith: 8 articles (01/2015 - 04/2003)
7.	Nelson, E Andrea: 8 articles (01/2013 - 01/2007)
8.	Cullum, Nicky: 7 articles (01/2015 - 07/2004)
9.	O'Meara, Susan: 7 articles (01/2015 - 01/2009)
10.	Karlsmark, Tonny: 7 articles (05/2013 - 05/2005)

Drugs and Biologics

Drugs and Important Biological Agents (IBA) related to Leg Ulcer:

1.	Pentoxifylline (Trental)FDA LinkGeneric 05/04/2002 - "Our results suggest that pentoxifylline gives additional benefit to compression for venous leg ulcers, and is possibly effective for patients not receiving compression." 05/04/2002 - "Our main aim was to determine whether pentoxifylline, with or without compression, was effective in treatment of venous leg ulcers. " 01/01/2002 - "Pentoxifylline in the absence of compression may be effective for treating venous leg ulcers, although the evidence should be cautiously interpreted. " 07/01/1999 - "We conclude that pentoxifylline is effective in accelerating healing of leg ulcers." 01/01/1995 - "A number of clinical studies have therefore been carried out to examine the clinical efficacy of pentoxifylline in treatment of venous leg ulcers. "
2.	Diosmin (Daflon)IBA 01/01/1997 - "Efficacy of Daflon 500 mg in venous leg ulcer healing: a double-blind, randomized, controlled versus placebo trial in 107 patients." 01/01/1997 - "To assess the efficacy of a micronized purified flavonoid fraction (Daflon 500 mg = Dios) in venous leg ulcer healing, in addition to compression therapy and standardized local care. " 09/01/2005 - "The objective of this study was to assess the effect of oral treatment with Daflon 500 mg (micronized purified flavonoid fraction [MPFF]) on leg ulcer healing. " 09/01/2005 - "Daflon 500 mg and venous leg ulcer: new results from a meta-analysis." 08/01/2001 - "In venous leg ulcer, Daflon 500 mg's clinical efficacy has been demonstrated in addition to standard treatment or versus standard treatment alone. "
3.	OxygenIBA 11/01/2005 - "The efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen treatment is being evaluated in the management of nonhealing leg ulcers to improve skin graft survival. " 04/01/2015 - "Thiry-four patients with chronic venous leg ulcers hospitalized in our department from December 2010 to July 2014 were divided into VSD group ( A, n = 11) , VSD + irrigation group ( B, n = 11) , and VSD + oxygen loaded fluid irrigation group ( C, n = 12) according to the random number table. " 04/01/2015 - "To evaluate the therapeutic effects of VSD combined with irrigation of oxygen loaded fluid on the growth of granulation tissue and macrophage polarization in chronic venous leg ulcers. " 05/01/2013 - "Treatment of chronic sickle cell leg ulcers with supplemental oxygen." 06/01/2003 - "hyperbaric oxygen enhanced the healing of ischaemic, non-healing diabetic leg ulcers and may be used as a valuable adjunct to conventional therapy when reconstructive surgery is not possible."
4.	EMLAFDA LinkGeneric 01/01/1990 - "The analgesic effect of EMLA 5% cream for surgical cleansing of leg ulcers was investigated in an open study and in a double-blind comparison with placebo. " 07/01/2012 - "Eutectic mixture of local anaesthetics (EMLA) 5% cream as a primary dressing on a painful lower leg ulcer." 10/01/2001 - "A single 24-h application of 5-10 g (median 6.75) of EMLA was given to 10 patients with painful leg ulcers measuring 50-100 cm2. " 09/01/1999 - "[Use of EMLA Creme in leg ulcers: usefulness and limits]." 05/01/1999 - "EMLA cream for the débridement of venous leg ulcers."
5.	SilverIBA 12/01/2014 - "Clinical efficacy of a silver-releasing foam dressing in venous leg ulcer healing: a randomised controlled trial." 08/01/2014 - "A prospective, open, multicentre study to evaluate a new gelling fibre dressing containing silver in the management of venous leg ulcers." 08/01/2013 - "Based on these factors, this study was initiated to evaluate the impact of silver containing absorbent dressings on critically colonized venous leg ulcers. " 08/01/2013 - "Prospective, Descriptive Study of Critically Colonized Venous Leg Ulcers Managed With Silver Containing Absorbent Dressings and Compression." 03/01/2010 - "Randomized controlled trial and cost-effectiveness analysis of silver-donating antimicrobial dressings for venous leg ulcers (VULCAN trial) (Br J Surg 2009; 96: 1147-1156)."
6.	ZincIBA 01/01/2007 - "Oral zinc supplementation may be beneficial in treating zinc-deficient leg ulcer patients, but its therapeutic place in surgical patients needs further clarification. " 01/01/2000 - "Overall, oral zinc sulphate does not appear to aid healing of leg ulcers, although it might be beneficial in those with venous leg ulcers and low serum zinc. " 01/01/2014 - "Oral zinc sulphate does not appear to aid the healing of arterial and venous leg ulcers, however all included studies were small and at unclear risk of bias (due to poor reporting)." 01/01/2014 - "Randomised controlled trials comparing oral zinc sulphate with placebo or no treatment in people with arterial or venous leg ulcers were eligible for inclusion. " 01/01/2012 - "Oral zinc sulphate does not appear to aid healing of arterial and venous leg ulcers, however all included studies were small and of mediocre quality."
7.	Colloids (Colloid)IBA 06/01/2008 - "Evaluation of the nano-oligosaccharide factor lipido-colloid matrix in the local management of venous leg ulcers: results of a randomised, controlled trial." 05/01/1996 - "Earlier work has shown that leg ulcer pathophysiology is altered during the first week of hydrocolloid treatment. " 05/01/1996 - "We used 31P NMR analysis on biopsy samples to explore the energy status of two chronic non-healing leg ulcers, before and after the first week of treatment with two low-pH hydrocolloid materials. " 10/01/1984 - "Management of leg ulcers with hydrocolloid occlusive dressing." 07/01/2012 - "A randomized, controlled, double-blind prospective trial with a Lipido-Colloid Technology-Nano-OligoSaccharide Factor wound dressing in the local management of venous leg ulcers."
8.	Anti-Bacterial Agents (Antibiotics)IBA 08/01/1986 - "The results of our study do not support the routine administration of systemic antibiotics in the management of chronic venous leg ulcers." 08/01/1986 - "Forty-seven patients with chronic venous leg ulcers were included in a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of systemically administered antibiotics in healing with condition. " 01/01/2012 - "The present study is aimed at determining the bacteria involved in leg ulcers and their resistance patterns to commonly used antibiotics as well as to determine whether Aloe Vera has antibacterial activity against multi-drug resistant organisms and promotes wound healing. " 01/01/2014 - "At present, no evidence is available to support the routine use of systemic antibiotics in promoting healing of venous leg ulcers. " 01/01/2013 - "At present, no evidence is available to support the routine use of systemic antibiotics in promoting healing of venous leg ulcers. "
9.	Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF)IBA 05/01/1999 - "In this first study, topically applied low-dose rhu GM-CSF was a safe treatment for chronic venous leg ulcers. " 03/01/1997 - "GM-CSF seems a very useful drug for the healing of leg ulcers." 01/01/1999 - "Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose- ranging study of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers." 03/01/1997 - "Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial of the use of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in chronic leg ulcers." 11/01/2002 - "To test the efficacy and safety of recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rHuGM-CSF) in the treatment of chronic cutaneous leg ulcers. "
10.	cadexomer iodineIBA 04/01/1997 - "The clinical and bacteriological efficacy of topical cadexomer iodine on venous leg ulcers colonised with Pseudomonas aeruginosa was evaluated in an open, uncontrolled, multicentre pilot study. " 09/01/1986 - "A study of the effect of cadexomer iodine in the treatment of venous leg ulcers." 06/01/2001 - "Cadexomer-iodine in the treatment of venous leg ulcers: what is the evidence?" 03/08/2001 - "A case study describes the use of Iodoflex in a difficult-to-heal venous leg ulcer." 03/08/2001 - "Application and method of use of Iodoflex and Iodosorb in venous leg ulcers is then detailed along with relevant clinical evidence. "

Therapies and Procedures

1.	Debridement 01/01/2002 - "Although stopping HU administration is vitally important, surgical debridement and TT application are effective for treating leg ulcers due to HU." 09/01/2012 - "Impact on wound healing and efficacy of various leg ulcer debridement techniques." 01/01/2006 - "To establish a maggot debridement therapy unit and assess efficacy of this method in chronic conservative non-treatable leg ulcers in patient in whom conventional therapy failed. " 12/01/2015 - "The purpose of this study was to assess larval debridement in chronic venous leg ulcers and to assess subsequent effect on healing. " 01/01/2014 - "A randomized controlled trial of larval therapy for the debridement of leg ulcers: results of a multicenter, randomized, controlled, open, observer blind, parallel group study."
2.	Transplants (Transplant) 09/01/1999 - "Management of chronic venous leg ulcers using a new autologous skin graft system." 06/01/2013 - "Patients with venous leg ulcers treated with split-thickness skin grafts showed improvement in functional status compared with controls." 07/01/1996 - "This improvement in the treatment of chronic leg ulcers with cultured autologous keratinocytes probably depends on the large compartment of proliferative cells as well as on a well-developed horny layer which prevents disintegration of the grafts. " 01/01/2014 - "Health-related quality of life and self-esteem were assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Rosenberg self-esteem (RSE) scale, respectively, in patients with venous leg ulcers treated with split-thickness skin grafts. " 01/01/2013 - "Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of skin grafts in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. "
3.	Compression Bandages 05/01/1998 - "This trial was undertaken to examine the safety and efficacy of four-layer compared with short stretch compression bandages for the treatment of venous leg ulcers within the confines of a prospective, randomised, ethically approved trial. " 11/01/1999 - "The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of two types of compression bandage with different degrees of elasticity on healing of venous leg ulcers. " 02/01/2014 - "The purpose of this study was to conduct a randomised controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of a four-layer compression bandage system and Class 3 compression hosiery on healing and quality of life (QL) in patients with venous leg ulcers. " 02/01/2014 - "The effectiveness of a four-layer compression bandage system in comparison with Class 3 compression hosiery on healing and quality of life in patients with venous leg ulcers: a randomised controlled trial." 02/01/2007 - "The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a non-invasive low frequency ultrasound device to debride chronic leg ulcers as an adjunct to compression bandages therapy. "
4.	Skin Transplantation (Skin Grafting) 03/01/2015 - "A randomised comparative single centre study recruited patients presenting with hard-to-heal critically colonised or locally infected leg ulcers, who could be treated with skin grafting. " 02/01/2007 - "The aim of this study was to determine the success of excision and meshed skin grafting for chronic leg ulcers. " 01/01/2000 - "This study indicates that excision of the lipodermatosclerotic skin area followed by split skin grafting can accomplish healing in non-healing venous leg ulcers that have failed to respond to previous superficial venous surgery." 01/01/1998 - "This study analyses patients who underwent excision and skin-grafting of leg ulcers in the Department of Plastic Surgery during 1993-1995. " 11/01/2014 - "Skin grafting has been shown to successfully heal chronic leg ulcers. "
5.	Bandages (Bandage) 01/01/2012 - "This study was conducted to define bandage pressures that are safe and effective in treating leg ulcers of mixed arterial-venous etiology. " 06/14/2007 - "In particular, discussion focuses on whether the four layer bandage system (4LB) or the short stretch (SSB) system should be considered as the first-line treatment of venous leg ulcers. " 01/01/2009 - "Four layer bandage compared with short stretch bandage for venous leg ulcers: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials with data from individual patients." 07/01/2004 - "VenUS I: a randomised controlled trial of two types of bandage for treating venous leg ulcers." 01/01/2004 - "This study set out to compare healing rates, handling properties and patient comfort of a four-layer bandage system (Profore) and Unna's Boot in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. "