Chronic leg ulcers in Irrua

Background: Chronic leg ulcers (CLU) are a common disease globally, that involves the lower leg with the
presentation of a non-healing wound above six weeks duration. Chronic leg ulcers have been documented since
antiquities. They present with heavy economic and social burden to the individual, family and the nation as a whole
reducing productivity and social interactions. Breaking this cycle of chronicity and achieving healing is the target of
patient care. Material and Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients who presented to the Plastic Surgery
Division of the Department of Surgery, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital between January 2021 and December
2022. The data was collected from the Outpatient Clinic, Ward and Operation records during the period under
review. The data including the biodata, duration of the ulcer, size of the ulcer, aetiology and treatment modality
were retrieved from the records. This information was analyzed using the SPSS version 23. Categorical data were
analyzed using the chi-square presented in frequencies and percentages while the nominal data were analyzed using
the t-test. the statistical significance is measured at a 95% coefficient or P-level less than 0.05. RESULTS: 60
patients presented to the Plastic Surgery Division of the Department of Surgery during the period under review. 57
of them have complete documentation. The male-to-female ratio is 1:1.1, while the age ranges from 20 to 88 years
(mean 54.58 and SD 18.125). Most patients (45.7%) presented in the sixth and seventh decade of life. The
commonest aetiology is a venous imcompetency (38.6%) followed by diabetes mellitus (22.8%). 49 (86%) of the
patients had either a secondary or tertiary level of education. Traders and farmers are the two most common
occupations (52.6%) of our patients. Left-sided ulcer is the most common (49.1%), and the modalities of treatment
were sterile dressing (18), compression bandaging (26) and skin grafting (13). Compression bandaging was used
more in venous, sickle cell and post-traumatic ulcers. There is a significant correlation between the duration and the
size of the ulcers with a 2-tailed correlation of 0.006. CONCLUSION: More females presented with chronic leg
ulcers which may be a result of cosmetic awareness, hormonal and pregnancy interplay. The level of education
increases presentation at the hospital, so the more educated the community, the more the likelihood of presentation
for care