Long-Term Results of Compression Therapy Alone Versus Compression Plus Surgery in Chronic Venous Ulceration

Abstract This chapter provides a summary of a landmark study in vascular surgery assessing whether surgical treatment of superficial venous reflux reduced the risk of recurrence in patients with open or recently healed leg ulcer. The Effect of Surgery and Compression on Healing and Recurrence (ESCHAR) trial demonstrated that surgery led to a reduction in the recurrence of ulcers at 4 years and resulted in a greater proportion of ulcer-free time. This chapter describes the basics of the study, including funding, study location, inclusion and exclusion criteria, how many patients were recruited, study design, follow-up, endpoints, results, and criticism and limitations. The chapter briefly reviews other relevant studies and information, gives a summary, and concludes with a relevant clinical case.