Tissue Oxygenation, Venous Ulcers and Fibrin Cuffs

Skin oxygen tension (TcPo 2 ) was measured at 43°C on patients (n=27) with venous ulcers. Measurements were made at ulcer edge and, proximally on the same limb for control. Similar measurements were also made on healthy volunteers (n=14) in the medial aspects of the distal third of the legs. TcPo 2 at ulcer edge was significantly lower (P=0.001) than control values which in turn were lower than that measured on healthy volunteers. TcPo 2 reflects skin nutrition. While low TcPo 2 at ulcer edges might be the result of pericapillary barriers to oxygen transport, the control values measured on apparently normal skin suggest the need for further studies.