The prevalence of venous diseases in Europe is 25.2%. According to studies of the University of Bonn this number can be as high as 90%. Optimistic estimates suggest this number to be 27.5% in Hungary, 21.5% in Germany. Treatment costs of varicosis and its complications are covered by 2% of the annual healthcare expenditure in Western countries. Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI, or chronic venous disease, CVD) affects 1.7% of European population, and can lead to venous ulcers. In Hungary 0.5-1% of the population suffers from venous ulcers, which is a result of primary or secondary varicosity.

Although an increasing number of modern wound dressings have appeared during the last decade, the treatment of ulcerous wounds in necrotic and exudative phases requires additional methods, either conventional or surgical. Infrared light is used to discover pathologic veins. Beside sclerotherapy and surgical treatment external and internal (so called intraluminal) methods are used. Leg ulcers of venous origin in various phases can be cleaned with ultrasound devices, vacuum therapy or high pressure water. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment, keratinocytes, magnetic treatment, laser wound care and skin transplantation can be used as adjuvant.

Authors present the aforementioned procedures with examples. New devices and methods help to reduce healing time and to avoid amputation in cases that are often considered hopeless.

Technical advancement and modern wound dressings permit successful treatment and healing of wounds that earlier were untreatable, however monetary shortage and the current status of healthcare.

DOI: 10.17489/biohun/2013/1/02