A prospective study on venous ulcer in patients with varicose veins

Abstract

Venous ulcers are by far the most common lower-limb ulcers. It has a higher mortality rate and causes economic strain on both individuals and nations. The pathophysiology is chronic venous hypertension due to primary or secondary venous disease with perforator paucity, destruction, or incompetence resulting in reflux, but tissue hypoxia, cell death, and ulceration are caused by inflammatory reactions mediated by leucocytes, platelet adhesion, formation of a pericapillary fibrin cuff, growth factors, and macromolecules trapped in tissue. Aim: To study about incidence of venous leg ulcers in patients with varicose veins attending general surgery OPD in RMMCH and to study the risk factors influencing occurrence of venous ulcer in patients with varicose veins. Results: Incidence of venous ulcer was more common in young adults and patients working as laborer which involves working in standing position for a longer time. Incidence of ulcer was common among males than in females in the ratio of 24:1 and left sided venous ulcers are more common than (R) side ulcers. Staphylococcus aureus was the common organism presented in about 44% of the cases 28% of the organisms isolated was found to be Gram negative. Conclusion: Venous ulcers in patients with varicose veins are even common among young adults, perhaps due to occupations which require prolonged standing or they are more prone to traumatize while working. Co-morbidities like Diabetes, smoking and micro-organism like Staphylococcus aureus are major risk factors for venous ulcer.