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 (ΔA/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 (ΔA/p_0–4) may be an appropriate end point for clinical investigations comparing therapies for the treatment of chronic venous leg ulcers.