Chronic critical leg ischaemia must include leg ulcers.

Abstract

In a previous series on conservative treatment in patients with leg ulcers and severe arterial occlusive disease (systolic digital blood pressure (SDBP) < 30 mmHg) a 70% risk of leg amputation and a negligeable potential for ulcerhealing was found. This series assess the efficacy of arterial reconstruction in such patients. Retrospective study of consecutive patients in a department of vascular surgery and of dermatology in cooperation with the wound healing center. Thirty-nine patients with 42 ulcerated legs underwent arterial revascularisation. 88% of the procedures were distal to the inguinal ligament. One patient died postoperatively (3%). Seven (18%) had wound complications, but none had graft infections. After 1 year the cumulative secondary patency was 90%, ulcer healing 70% and the limb salvage 90%. Thus only four legs (10%) had been amputated. Arterial revascularisation for leg ulcers is indicated when conservative treatment fails. Legs with ulceration and SDBP < 30 mmHg should be included in the concept of chronic critical ischaemia.