PINCH GRAFTING OF LEG ULCERS - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 412 TREATED ULCERS IN 146 PATIENTS

In a retrospective study of 412 leg ulcers in 146 patients treated wit h pinch grafting, with a mean duration of follow-up of 32 months (rang e 2-84), the overall healing rate was 38%. The healing rate was best i n the vasculitic ulcers (56%), followed by venous ulcers (38%), arteri osclerotic ulcers (33%), mixed ulcers (33%) and ''other ulcers'' (20%) , In the series as a whole, the mean duration of ulcer problems was 8 years, and that of the 412 ulcers treated 2.5 years; the mean recurren ce rate was 28%, and the mean remission time 12.5 months, In the ulcer s that were still healed at close of the study (comprising 27% (112/41 2) of the series), the remission time was greater than or equal to 26. 6 months. Thus we consider pinch grafting to be a successful complemen t to conservative therapy in most types of ulcers.