ABSTRACT
Conservative treatment consists of general advice, compression, local wound care and pharmacological agents. It may be the only treatment advised or may supplement intervention. Systemic antibiotics have a minimal role in venous ulcer treatment, but can be prescribed if a wound shows features of infection such as spreading erythema and fever. Compression and local treatment is an integral part of management for venous ulcers, usually prior to inter vention to correct venous hypertension, but sometimes as sole treatment if there is a contraindication to intervention. Endovenous intervention is preferred to surgery. Compression by stockings should be maintained after ulcer healing to reduce the risk of recurrence, particularly in patients with deep vein occlusion or gross incompetence not amenable to intervention. Intermittent pneumatic compression improves venous flow and promotes healing of venous ulcers in combination with elastic stockings and possibly as sole treatment.
