Combined treatment with endovenous laser ablation and compression therapy of incompetent perforating veins for treatment of recalcitrant venous ulcers

ObjectivePatients with healed venous ulcers often experience recurrence of ulceration, despite the use of long-term compression therapy. This study examines the effect of closing incompetent perforating veins (IPVs) on ulcer recurrence rates in patients with progressive lipodermatosclerosis and impending ulceration.MethodsPatients with nonhealing venous ulcers of >2 months’ duration underwent duplex ultrasound to assess their lower extremity venous system for incompetence of superficial, perforating, and deep veins. Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of perforating veins was performed on patients with CEAP 6 disease with increasing hyperpigmentation, lipodermatosclerosis, and/or progressive malleolar pain. A minimum of 2 months of compressive therapy was attempted before endovenous ablation of IPVs. Demographic data, risk factors, CEAP classification, procedural details, and postoperative status were all recorded.ResultsForty ulcers with 46 associated IPVs were treated with EVLA in 36 patients with CEAP 6 r...