In the CEAP classification of chronic venous disease, a patient with active venous ulceration on the medial aspect of the gaiter area but without any evidence of skin changes elsewhere on the leg would be classified as:

• A C5
• B C4b
• C C6 ✓
• D C3

Explanation

The CEAP clinical classification is: C0 — no visible disease, C1 — telangiectasias/reticular veins, C2 — varicose veins, C3 — oedema, C4a — pigmentation/eczema, C4b — lipodermatosclerosis/atrophie blanche, C5 — healed venous ulcer, C6 — active venous ulcer. An active ulcer is C6 regardless of the absence of other skin changes; skin changes are classified separately by their highest category present. C5 applies only to a healed (not active) ulcer.

Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.