REVIEWS   

Acta Vulnologica 2016 June;14(2):78-102

Copyright © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English, Italian

Vascular management of ulcerative lesions

Salvatore PIAZZA, Giuseppe BERARDI, Alberto PECCHIO, Pia CUMBO, Franco NESSI

Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Unit, Mauriziano Umberto I Hospital, Turin, Italy

Skin ulcer is commonly defined as a secondary lesion characterized by a loss of tissue located into the deep dermis, with no easy tendency to spontaneous healing, producing a scar at the end of the process. It is often associated with pain resulting in impaired quality of life of patients and with economic and social implication. There are different types of ulcerative lesions, but they all share a common feature, i.e. an initial ischemic time. The clinical evaluation and the seat of the ulcer may be critical to a first etiologic classification, but the use of appropriate diagnostic instruments (Doppler with measurement of the Ankle-Brachial Index, transcutaneous oximetry, Duplex scan, computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, arteriography) is imperative to provide adequate classification and a targeted therapeutic approach aimed at a rapid ulcer healing.