Leg ulceration in the sickle cell patient.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine cost of care for leg ulcers in sickle cell patients and suggest an improved modality in ulcer care. We performed a retrospective study of a group of sickle cell disease patients with leg ulcers. Eighteen patients with a leg ulcer (duration: mean, 53.7 months), sickle cell disease, and a mean of 20.7 years of age had various modalities of treatment with the only consistency in healing being a commercial moist-wound dressing. There is no consistency in the treatment of the sickle cell patient with a leg ulcer. Treatment with a moist dressing had the best results.