Pain, Quality of Life, and Functional Capacity With Topical Sevoflurane Application for Chronic Venous Ulcers: A Retrospective Clinical Study

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic venous ulcers (CVU) commonly have poorly controlled pain. Report: Thirty patients older than 65 years of age with painful CVU were reviewed. At the initial visit, cleaning without sevoflurane was performed. Cleaning visits with sevoflurane every 2 days for 1 month were scheduled. The results of subsequent treatment with sevoflurane at the first, second, seventh, and twelfth cleanings were analysed. Pain was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS), quality of life by the Charing Cross Venous Leg Ulcer Questionnaire, and functional capacity by the Barthel Index. Discussion: Initial VAS was 8.8±1.3 points and at the twelfth cleaning VAS was 0.8±1 points (p=.001). Latency time ranged between 2 and 7 m and duration ranged between 8 and 18 h. It improved quality of life (83±14 points before treatment vs. 50±14 at the twelfth cleaning) and functional capacity (82±13.3 before treatment vs. 91±11.6 points at the twelfth cleaning) (p=.001). The safety profile was favourable with mild and self limited local cutaneous adverse effects, including pruritus, erythema, and heat. No systemic toxicity was detected. Topical sevoflurane may be a therapeutic alternative for painful CVU with a fast, intense, and long-lasting analgesic effect. Keywords: Analgesic treatment, Pain, Satisfaction, Sevoflurane, Ulcers