Venous leg ulcer treatment and practice--Part 2: Wound management.

The management of a venous ulcer is determined by the level of exudate, presence (or absence) of infection, condition of the wound bed, ulcer size and the condition of the peri-ulcer tissue. If necrotic or sloughy tissue is present, this must be debrided to prevent infection and promote healing. Subsequently, exudate is controlled, healing stimulated by wound bed preparation and the wound protected by a dressing.