[Surgical wound consultation]. / Die chirurgische Wundsprechstunde.

Treatment of patients with chronic wounds is characterized by high costs and low efficiency. Epidemiologic data are mainly based on retrospective studies. In 1992, we founded a wound care center and developed a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm. Prospective data on 293 patients revealed an overall healing rate of 68% (diabetic foot syndrome) and 74% (venous stasis ulcer); mean treatment time was 4.5 months. Relevant prognostic factors were localization of ulcer (0.004), ischemia (0.002), age (0.02) and compliance (0.003), whereas the ulcer grading had no effect on healing.