SHAVE-THERAPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF PERSIS TENT VENOUS ULCERS WITH EXTENSIVE LIPODERMATOSCLEROSIS

Ulcers in chronic venous insufficiency, especially in postthrombotic s yndrome, are often resistant to compression therapy. They can be treat ed effectively by the dermatologic surgeon with a fairly simple operat ive procedure. The removal of the ulcer together with the extensive li podermatosclerosis by Humby knife (shave-therapy) and immediate grafti ng with a meshed split skin graft - possibly in combination with ligat ion of insufficient perforator veins - yields very good success rates. The results in 13 patients (18 legs) with an average follow up period of 11 months (up to 20 months) are reported.