Rev Bras Cir Plást. 2013;28(1):133-41 133 Use of the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing tool to evaluate the healing of chronic leg ulcers Use of the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing tool to evaluate the healing of chronic leg ulcers Uso da ferramenta Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing para avaliar a cicatrização de úlcera crônica de perna This study was performed at the Plastic Surgery Clinic, São Paulo Hospital - Wound Ward, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, and Wound Clinic of the Sorocaba Hospital, Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil. Submitted to SGP (Sistema de Gestão de Publicações/Manager Publications System) of RBCP (Revista Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica/Brazilian Journal of Plastic Surgery). Article received: December 13, 2012 Article accepted: March 17, 2013 1. Medical student of the University of Vale do Sapucaí (UNIVAS), Pouso Alegre, MG, Brazil. 2. Nurse, Auditing Expert, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. 3. Postdoc, Professor of the Professional Master’s Degree in Applied Health Sciences of the UNIVAS, Pouso Alegre, MG, Brazil. 4. Full professor of the Plastic Surgery Discipline of the Escola Paulista de Medicina-Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP), full member of the Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica/Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Patrícia Ferreira do esPírito santo 1 sérgio aguinaldo de almeida 2 maiko moura silveira 1 geraldo magela salomé 3 lydia masako Ferreira 4 Franco T et al. Vendramin FS et al. ORIGINAL ARTICLE ABSTRACT Introduction: In the present study, we aimed to describe the evolution of the healing of chronic leg ulcers using the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) tool. Methods: The data were collected from July 2010 to May 2011. The inclusion of patients in the study followed the order of arrival. The lesion was evaluated weekly according to the PUSH tool. Results: The study included 15 (30%) patients with diabetes and foot ulcers and 35 (70%) patients with venous ulcers. At the beginning of the data collection process, the average ulcer length and width were 9.26 cm 2 (range, 12.1-24.0 cm 2 ). At 9 months of treatment, the average ulcer length and width was 2.04 cm 2 (range, 0.3-0.6 cm 2 ). At the beginning of the study, the average amount of exudate was 1.71 (moderate amount), whereas at 9 months after the beginning of treatment, the average amount of exudate was 0.14 (absence of exudate). At 9 months of treatment, 19 (38%) patients had closed ulcers, 17 (34%) had ulcers with granulation tissue, and 14 (28%) had ulcers with epi- thelialized tissue. Conclusions: Use of the PUSH tool enabled monitoring of the ulcer healing process through the evaluation of length vs. width, exudate amount, and type of tissue present in the wound, thus favoring the selection of the correct dressing for each stage of wound healing. Keywords: Leg ulcer. Diabetic foot. Varicose ulcer. Wound healing. Nursing assessment. RESUMO Introdução: O objetivo deste estudo é descrever a evolução da cicatrização de úlcera crônica de perna, utilizando o instrumento Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH). Mé- todo: Os dados foram coletados no período de julho de 2010 a maio de 2011. A inclusão dos pacientes no estudo obedeceu à ordem de chegada. A lesão foi avaliada semanalmente, sendo aplicada a escala PUSH. Resultados: Foram incluídos no estudo 15 (30%) pacientes diabéticos com pé ulcerado e 35 (70%) pacientes com úlcera venosa. No início da coleta dos dados, a média do comprimento e da largura foi de 9,26, caracterizando que a lesão mensurava de 12,1 cm 2 a 24 cm 2 . Com 9 meses de tratamento, a úlcera apresentou média de comprimento e de largura de 2,04, caracterizando que a lesão mensurava de 0,3 cm 2 a 0,6 cm 2 . Com relação à quantidade do exsudato, no início da coleta de dados a média foi de 1,71, caracterizando que a lesão apresentava quantidade moderada e, 9 meses após o início do tratamento, houve redução do exsudato, com média de 0,14, significando au- sência de exsudato. Aos 9 meses de tratamento, 19 (38%) pacientes apresentavam úlcera fechada; 17 (34%), úlceras com tecido de granulação; e 14 (28%), tecido epitelizado.