Analysis of predicted full recovery time for venous leg ulcers treated with intermittent pneumatic compression

Introduction
Venous leg ulcers are difficult-to-heal wounds. Reduction of venous hypertension and eradication of oedema is of key importance in the treatment of clinical symptoms of venous hypertension and venous leg ulcers. This can be done by using compression therapy in which external pressure is applied to the skin surface, giving a positive effect on the venous, lymphatic and arterial systems of macro- and microcirculation.

Aim
Analysis of full recovery predicted time for venous ulcers.

Material and methods
The purpose of our study was to rate the intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy in venous leg ulcers treatment. In the study group, the IPC therapy (pressure of 60 mm Hg at the ankle) was used – one treatment daily for 4 weeks. The changes of the total area, circumference, maximum length and maximum width of ulcers were measured. Then, based on the collected values, we calculated healing progress (Gilman index), healing rate, predicted healing time and non-linear approximation of the treatment time needed to decrease the ulcer surface area by 50% and then we compared the treatment times.

Results
Analysis of the results shows that a percentage change in the surface area in the treatment group was 52%. There was a statistically significant difference between the ulcer surface area before and after treatment (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the healing rate in individual weeks of treatment (p > 0.05). The percentage reduction in circumferences of the lower limb showed a statistically significant advantage in the study group comparison baseline (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
Treatment of venous leg ulcers with the IPC therapy is effective.