UNNA BOOT AS A THERAPEUTIC RESOURCE IN CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY AND ULCERS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Authors

  • Evelyn Oliveira Perboni Author
  • Sarah Akemy Iwazaki Author
  • Wanessa Cristina Bacon Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56238/levv16n53-144

Keywords:

Venous Ulcer, Leg Ulcer, Venous Insufficiency

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is characterized by venous valve dysfunction in the lower limbs, with stasis, edema, and possible progression to venous ulcers. Objective: to describe the scientific evidence regarding the application of the Unna boot in the management of CVI and venous ulcers. Method: a literature review conducted between May and June 2025 in the SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature), PubMed (US National Library of Medicine/NLM), and Google Scholar databases, combining the descriptors "Bota de Unna," "venous ulcer," "chronic venous insufficiency," and their English equivalents ("Unna boot," "venous leg ulcer," "compression therapy"). Inclusion criteria: articles published between 2021 and 2025, in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, that addressed the application, efficacy, or protocols of the Unna boot. Exclusion: duplicates, non-scientific texts, and materials not available in full text. Results: Studies indicate that the Unna Boot promotes healing, reduces edema and pain, and improves quality of life when correctly prescribed and applied by trained professionals. Conclusion: The Unna Boot is an effective, safe, and low-cost technology with high applicability in primary care; standardization of protocols and long-term follow-up are recommended.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Guest JF, Fuller GW. Cost-effectiveness of two reduced pressure compression systems in treating newly diagnosed venous leg ulcers. J Wound Care. 2023;32(6):348–58. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/jowc.2023.32.6.348

2. Patton D, Avsar P, Sayeh A, Budri A, O’Connor T, Walsh S, Nugent L, Harkin D, O’Brien N, Cayce J, Corcoran M, Gaztambide M, Derwin R, Moore Z. A systematic review of the impact of compression therapy on quality of life and pain among people with a venous leg ulcer. Int Wound J. 2024 Mar;21(3):e14816. doi:10.1111/iwj.14816. Erratum in: Int Wound J. 2024 May;21(5):e14892. PMID: 38445749; PMCID: PMC10915825. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14816

3. Bernatchez SF, Eysaman-Walker J, Weir D. Venous leg ulcers: a review of published assessment and treatment algorithms. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle). 2021;11(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/wound.2020.1381

4. Robles-Tenorio A, Lev-Tov H, Ocampo-Candiani J. Venous leg ulcer. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.

5. Gornik HL, Aronow HD, Goodney PP, Arya S, Brewster LP, Byrd L, et al. 2024 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/APMA/ABC/SCAI/SVM/SVN/SVS/SIR/VESS guideline for the management of lower extremity peripheral artery disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2024;83(24). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2024.02.013

6. He B, Shi J, Li L, Ma Y, Zhao H, Qin P, et al. Prevention strategies for the recurrence of venous leg ulcers: a scoping review. Int Wound J. 2024;21(3). doi:10.1111/iwj.14759. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14759

7. Galvão de Oliveira ML, León-Morillas F, Andriola IC, Gómez Martínez CS, Dantas BA da S, Torres G de V. Venous leg ulcer healing as a determinant of quality of life in patients treated with Unna boot: a quasi-experimental study. PLoS One. 2025;20(1):e0314490. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0314490

8. Shaydakov ME, et al. Review of the current evidence for topical treatment for venous leg ulcers. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord. 2022;10(1):241–247.e15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvsv.2021.06.010

9. Gabriella M, Mota LE, Moraes C, Cortez DN. Manejo da Bota de Unna em paciente com úlcera venosa: é possível complicar? Congresso Paulista de Estomaterapia; 2021.

10. Danski MTR, Liedke DCF, Vayego SA, Pontes L, Lind J, Johann DA. Tecnologia Bota de Unna na cicatrização da úlcera varicosa. Cogitare Enferm. 2016;21(3). DOI: https://doi.org/10.5380/ce.v21i3.48803

11. Cardoso LV, Godoy JMP de, Godoy MFG, Czorny RCN. Terapia compressiva: bota de Unna aplicada a lesões venosas: uma revisão integrativa da literatura. Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2018;52. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x2017047503394

12. Luz BS, Araujo CS, Atzingen DA, Mendonça AR, Mesquita Filho M, Medeiros ML. Evaluating the effectiveness of the customized Unna boot when treating patients with venous ulcers. An Bras Dermatol. 2013;88(1):41–9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0365-05962013000100004

13. Cordeiro JPN, Almeida EIA, Magalhães AKG, Galvão AMN, Carvalho HB, Pitta GBB. Tratamento da úlcera varicosa com bota de Unna: efeitos adversos advindos da falta de conhecimento em sua manutenção. Res Soc Dev. 2022;11(5):e37011527584. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v11i5.27584

Published

2025-10-31

How to Cite

PERBONI, Evelyn Oliveira; IWAZAKI , Sarah Akemy; BACON, Wanessa Cristina. UNNA BOOT AS A THERAPEUTIC RESOURCE IN CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY AND ULCERS: A LITERATURE REVIEW. LUMEN ET VIRTUS, [S. l.], v. 16, n. 53, p. e9456 , 2025. DOI: 10.56238/levv16n53-144. Disponível em: https://periodicos.newsciencepubl.com/LEV/article/view/9456. Acesso em: 5 dec. 2025.