Minimally invasive surgical management of primary venous ulcers vs. compression treatment: a randomized clinical trial.

Abstract

to compare minimally invasive surgical haemodynamic correction of reflux (CHIVA) with compression in the treatment of venous ulceration. prospective randomised study. from a cohort of 80 patients with 87 venous leg ulcers, 47 were randomised to either surgery or compression. at a mean follow-up of 3 years, healing was 100% (31 days) in the surgical and 96% (63 days), in the compression group (p<0.02). The recurrence rate was 9% in the surgical and 38% in the compression group (p<0.05). In the surgical group, all plethysmographic parameters except ejection fraction, had improved significantly at 6 months in the surgical group, and at 3 years residual volume fraction remained in the normal range. Finally, quality of life significantly improved in the operated group. this study supports the effectiveness of surgical therapy for leg ulceration secondary to superficial venous reflux.