Conservative treatment of stasis ulcer of the lower limbs

Our conservative method of treating stasis ulcers of the leg, which is based on counteracting causal factors, was tested in 100 patients. Ninety-one percent of the ulcers healed within 12 months of treatment, and 71% within 6 months. No recurrences have been reported, although the follow-up is still only short-term. Because of these results, we think surgical treatment of stasis ulcers should be undertaken only when the conservative method fails. If surgery is to be done, it should consist of excision and ligation of varices and incompetent perforators, in order to eliminate recurrences.