Background: Martorell’s ulcers are common in hypertensive patients. They are characterized by painful ulceration on the distal aspect of the leg. Management of these wounds have been
by surgical debridement with eventual wound closure. We share our experience in patients treated by woundectomy followed by fat lipoaspirate and skin graft.
Objective: To audit management of Martorell’s ulcer with woundectomy followed by fat injection and skin grafts.
Methodology: Patients with histologically confirmed Martorell’s ulcer were followed up between January 2017 and December 2022. Woundectomy was done followed by infiltration with fat lipoaspirate. Wounds were then dressed with conventional dressings materials for at least two weeks after which skin graft was done. Post operatively, patients were seen at a regular interval of one year to determine recurrence.
Results: A total of 28 patients were seen with histologically confirmed Martorell’s ulcers,of whom 18 were female. Two patients had ulcers on both legs. There was considerable
reduction in pain score from an average of 8 /10 to 2 /10 after fat grafting of the wounds.All patients had good skin grafts take. Recurrence of the ulcer was noted in one patient during the one year of follow up.
Conclusion: Woundectomy followed by lipoaspirate infiltration and skin graft is a reliable method of treating Martorell’s ulcers and should be considered as one of the armamentarium in the management of Martorell’s ulcers.