Split-skin grafting of varicose leg ulcers-a survey and the importance of assessment of risk factors in predicting outcome from the procedure

Thirty-four patients had split-skin grafts applied to varicose leg ulcers, previously unresponsive to conservative mangement. Follow-up of patients after 1–5 years revealed that an assessment of risk factors prior to surgery is important. Those patients with fewer risk factors had a higher ulcer healing rate and lower mortality from natural causes. An assessment of risk factors might he helpful to determine whether to continue conservative management or consider more active management of a patient with a non-healing varicose leg ulcer.