Authors' recommendations: Chronic wounds fail to proceed through an orderly and timely process of tissue repair. Chronic wounds, including venous ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and pressure sores, are a significant health problem in the United States, affecting 6.5 million persons. The incidence of chronic wounds is increasing, correlating with the increased incidence of contributing factors such as diabetes and obesity and the aging of the population. Difficult-to-heal wounds lead to high rates of morbidity and mortality, negative effects on quality of life, loss of productivity, and lengthy periods of medical care. Regardless of the cause, chronic wound treatment usually begins with conservative therapies such as pressure relief, sterile dressings, and topical antibiotics. Debridement to remove dead or severely damaged tissue may also be necessary. If conservative treatments fail to promote wound healing, surgical treatments such as closure of a malfunctioning vein, transplantation of a flap of tissue from another site to cover the wound, or amputation of a digit or foot may be necessary.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2012

URL for published report: The report may be purchased from:http://www.hayesinc.com/hayes/crd/?crd=6681

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: HAYES, Inc.

Contact Address: 157 S. Broad Street, Suite 200, Lansdale, PA 19446, USA. Tel: 215 855 0615; Fax: 215 855 5218

Contact Name: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Contact Email: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Copyright: 2012 Winifred S. Hayes, Inc