Chronic Nonhealing Ulcers ‒ Garhwal Region (Etiopathology, Microbiology with Susceptibility, Managements & Outcomes)

Introduction: Chronic nonhealing ulcers, with varied etio-pathologies, are difficult to manage and warrant meticulous, early and prolonged directed treatment to prevent their development and complications.

Methods: Patients of chronic ulcers (>3 months’ duration), having undergone surgical management at our Institute, VCSGGMS&RI-UT, between January 2018 – August 2019, numbering one hundred twenty five (N= 125), were included in this concurrent observational study, aimed at identifying implicated microrganism (s) and their antibiotic susceptibility, for promoting wound healing, along with surgical measures.

Results: Male patients (M:F :: 87:38; 69.6% males) in the “20-50 year” age-group (74; 59.2%), with diabetic ulcers (35;28.0%), burns etc. (21;16.8%) and traumatic ulcers (18;14.4%) etc. predominated in the chronic non-healing state. Gram positive (68; 54.4%) organisms (including Staphylococcus) were the major isolates from the ulcers; organisms showing higher sensitivity to the newer generations/groups of antibiotics. Uncontrolled Diabetes, other prolonged illnesses &/or under-nutrition were important causative factors, requiring their remediations and also debridements ± skin/flap coverage (45; 36.0%) with prolonged course of antibiotics and occasional amputations (18; 14.4%) for adequate treatment.

Conclusion: Skilled intensive multidisciplinary effort is essential to achieve satisfactory healing and prevent disfigurement and to limit disability and death (11; 8.8%) among the patients.