New Review Evaluates Chronic Venous Ulcer Treatment Options

A new research review from AHRQ found that evidence is inconclusive for comparing benefits and harms of advanced wound dressings, systemic antibiotics, and surgical interventions to treat venous leg ulcers lasting 6 or more weeks in patients with preexisting venous disease. According to “Chronic Venous Ulcers: A Comparative Effectiveness Review of Treatment Modalities,” additional clinical studies are needed. However, certain conclusions can be drawn from the available research. Antimicrobial dressings provide an advantage in improved healing, but evidence is insufficient about the effectiveness of antimicrobial dressings compared with each other or with compression alone. Collagen dressings may improve the proportion of ulcers healed versus compression alone, and allogenic bilayered human skin equivalents may promote more rapid healing, particularly among patients with long-standing venous leg ulcers, although this treatment did not affect post-treatment recurrence.