Comparison of outcomes in patients with venous leg ulcers treated with compression therapy alone versus combination of surgery and compression therapy: a systematic review.

Background: Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are the most prevalent type of lower extremity ulcers and can be difficult to manage. Clinicians are challenged to provide care and recommendations that promote timely healing, minimize the risk of recurrence, and are cost-effective. Compression therapy is generally considered the primary intervention for both ulcer management and prevention of recurrence. However, recent studies suggest that surgical correction of venous insufficiency may enhance healing of venous ulcers or help prevent recurrence.

Purpose: The objective of this systematic review was to compare wound healing and recurrence rates in patients managed with compression therapy alone versus compression therapy plus surgery.

Search Strategy: The author conducted a literature review selecting primary studies published between 2002 and 2012, using the electronic databases MEDLINE/PubMed and CINAHL/EBSCOhost. The following key words were applied: leg ulcer; varicose ulcer; bandage; "stockings, compression," venous ulceration; venous ulcer; compressive therapy; compression therapy; stocking; venous surgery. Inclusion criteria included randomized controlled trials that compared VLU healing rates and recurrence rates among patients receiving compression therapy alone, and patients receiving both compression therapy and surgical intervention to correct venous incompetence. Studies published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese were included.

Results: Sixty-seven studies were retrieved and 4 were identified that met inclusion criteria. In 3 of the studies, researchers reported no differences in healing rates for patients managed with compression plus surgery when compared to patients managed with compression alone. One study reported higher healing rates in the surgical group. Most studies revealed lower recurrence rates in patients who were managed with surgery plus compression, but these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions: Existing evidence supports compression therapy as the most critical element in the management of venous leg ulcers. However, evidence also suggests that surgical obliteration of incompetent perforator veins may promote longer ulcerfree periods and lower rates of recurrence.