The air-fluidised bed in the management of chronic varicose leg ulceration.

CASE REPORT. A 68 -year old woman presented to the geriatric medical unit with severe chronic varicose ulceration of the lower limbs. This had been present for over twenty years and had resulted in her spending two out of the past three years in hospital. She had been discharged from a dermatology unit less than three months earlier. Her ulcers were associated with marked oedema of the legs. She was grossly obese (weight 110 kgs) and had non -insulin -requiring diabetes mellitus. She lived in a sheltered dwelling with maximum home help support. A district nurse was dressing her legs twice daily. Although able to walk slowly with a Zimmer walking aid, she was reluctant to do so. She refused to elevate her legs and often slept in her chair. She also had been depressed and had exhibited antisocial behaviour.