Iliac vein recanalization and stenting accelerates healing of venous leg ulcers associated with severe venous outflow obstruction.

Obstruction involving the iliac veins and/or inferior vena cava is highly co-morbid in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers and is a barrier to healing. Intervention with venous stenting is recommended to promote wound healing, however, there is limited data to quantify the effects of venous outflow restoration on wound healing. We retrospectively identified patients with venous ulcers and co-morbid venous outflow obstruction. Data regarding demographics, wound size, degree of obstruction, interventions, wound healing, and recurrence were collected. Intervention was performed when possible and patients were grouped based on whether or not the venous outflow was reopened successfully and maintained for at least one year. Outcomes including time to wound healing, wound recurrence, stent patency, and ulcer free time were measured. Patients who maintained a patent venous outflow tract experienced higher rates of wound healing (79.3%) compared to those with persistent outflow obstruction (22.6%) at 12 months (p <0.001). Ulcer free time for the first year was also greater with patent venous outflow (7.6 4.4 months versus 1.8 3.0 months, P <0.0025). Patients with severe obstruction of the venous outflow tract experience poor healing of VLUs despite appropriate wound care. Healing time is improved and ulcer free time increased after venous intervention with stenting to eliminate obstruction This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.