Planimetric rate of healing in venous ulcers of the leg treated with pressure bandage and hydrocolloid dressing

BACKGROUND: Venous leg ulcers are a common cause of morbidity, but few predictive parameters exist that can be used to follow their progress. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the use of healing rate as a useful parameter in the treatment of venous ulceration. METHODS: Twenty-seven venous ulcers being treated with a standard regimen were evaluated. We calculated the initial (4-week) and overall healing rates using the Gilman method (delta A/p). RESULTS: The average initial healing rate for all ulcers combined, the healed group, and the nonhealing group was 0.069, 0.087, and -0.005 cm/wk, respectively. Similarly, the average overall healing rate for all ulcers combined, the healed group, and the nonhealing group was 0.062, 0.089, and -0.043 cm/wk, respectively. CONCLUSION: The initial healing rate (delta A/p(0-4)) may be an appropriate end point for clinical investigations comparing therapies for the treatment of chronic venous leg ulcers.