Skin Perfusion Pressure and Wound Closure Time in Lower Extremity Wounds

Abstract

IntroductionPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) affects approximately 8 million patients in the United States. We investigate the relationship of Skin Perfusion Pressure (SPP) and wound closure time in lower extremity wounds. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of 1125 lower extremity wounds in 998 patients between June 2006 and October 2014 in our wound clinic. We analyzed the relationship between SPPand wound closure time. SPP was measured using a Laser Doppler instrument. ResultsPatients with SPP values over 30 mmHg had shorter wound closure times, while patients with SPP values below 30 mmHg had a significantly longer wound closure time. Diabetic patients took longer to achieve wound closure compared to non-diabetics. No significant relationship was observed between SPP and wound closure time in relation to age or gender. ConclusionSPP is a useful tool in estimating time to wound closure and assessing the necessity of vascular interventions in lower extremity wounds.