In-patient management of leg ulcers

Objective: To review in-patient management of leg ulcers and to compare our experiences with those from other similar centres, Design: A retrospective study. Setting: University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Patients: Forty five patients hospitalised with leg ulcers, Results: These were 27 males and 18 females (MF3:2), The age range was 8-90years (mean 32.5 years). The commonest sites were around the ankle(55.68) and the distal third of the leg (40%), Trauma, diabetes mellitus and sickle-cell disease accounted for the commonest aetiological factors(35.6%, 222% and 17.8% respectively), Coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus were the commonest organisms isolated on culture. All the patients had routine wound dressing and antibiotics but only 25 patients (56%) responded fully to this line of preliminary management. The other 20 patients had wound debridement in addition. Nineteen patients(42%) needed skin grafting while four patients (9%) had below-knee amputation. Conclusion: Our experience shows that leg ulcers whose nature portend an increase in morbidity and mortality are best managed as in-patients. The underlying causes should be addressed while local wound care is administered, Skin grafting and amputation should be employed when necessary.