ABSTRACT
The simple act of covering a wound, by whatever means, to effectively duplicate the function of the epidermis has been understood throughout history as a way of protecting that wound from the potentially harmful external environment. This chapter will focus on one aspect of wound healing, the recalcitrant nonhealing or “chronic” wound, i.e., leg ulceration, as the subject matter of wound healing per se is beyond the scope of this chapter. Throughout this chapter the words “chronic wound” and “leg ulcer(ation)” will be used interchangeably. Chronic wounds are generally considered to have resulted from endogenous circumstances, although it is well recognized that exogenous conditions such as bacterial infection or radiation can induce skin lesions.
