Free tissue transfer provides durable treatment for large nonhealing venous ulcers

Most venous ulcers (VUs) will heal with conventional treatment, which focuses on improving regional venous hemodynamics. This treatment, however, often fails to heal large, recurrent VUs that are associated with severe lipodermatosclerosis (LDS). These complicated ulcers may require correction of local venous hemodynamics and replacement of the surrounding LDS with healthy tissue. We report our experience managing 24 especially difficult VUs with debridement and free flap coverage.

Between 1987 and 1997, 25 free flap procedures were performed in 22 patients for 24 recalcitrant VUs. Ulcers had been present for a mean of 5.24 years and had failed to heal with conservative therapy and split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) (mean, 2.2). Eleven patients (46%) had exposed bone, tendon, or joint. At operation the area of LDS was excised, and all perforating veins were ablated. The defects after excision ranged from 100 to 600 cm(2) (mean, 237 cm(2)). The free flap was inset within the defect and covered with an STSG.

We healed all 24 ulcers with free tissue transfer (one patient required a second flap after the first failed). There were no deaths. Local complications that required repeat STSG occurred in three (13%) of the 24 successful flap transfers. Four other flaps had minor local complications that healed with local wound care. Follow-up was available for 21 of the 24 successful flap transfers. No recurrent ulcers were identified in the territory of the flap after a mean of 58 months, but three patients had new ulcers in the same leg after 6 to 77 months. Patients with severe complications were hospitalized longer than those with minor or no complications (45.7 vs 12.8 days, P <.01), and their hospital charges were greater ($76,681 vs $30,428, P <.01).

Free tissue transfer can provide rapid healing and long-term relief from severe VUs that are unable to be treated with conventional therapy. This technique improves venous hemodynamics, removes all liposclerotic tissue, provides an abundant blood supply, and resolves the tissue-related components of chronic ulceration. Although further work is needed to determine the optimal indications, this technique provides a durable treatment for especially recalcitrant ulcers.