[Diagnostic and treatment of leg ulcers]

Ulcers are a frequent cause of dermatologic consultation, and most correspond to leg ulcers. Major advances in the treatment of ulcers have occurred in recent years as a result of research that has led to new concepts such as the consideration of the chronic ulcer as an inflammatory process involving proinflammatory cytokines and deficits of growth factors. Furthermore, studies into the use of the wet dressing have led to the appearance of a wide variety of new dressings. The aim of this review is to update the reader's knowledge of the treatment of ulcers in general and of leg ulcers in particular, with a detailed description of the new dressings available and of the new therapies for use in refractory cases.