To evaluate the clinical therapeutic effects of oral administration and external application of Chinese drugs combined with micro-invasive surgery for the treatment of varicose ulcers in the lower extremities (ecthyma). A total of 152 patients (163 limbs) suffering from varicose ulcers on the lower limbs were assigned to two groups according to the patients’ willingness. The 102 cases (109 limbs) in the treatment group underwent the method of endovenous microwave closure of communicating veins combined with oral administration and external application of Chinese drugs before and after the operation. The 50 cases (54 limbs) in the control group

were treated with oral administration and external application of Chinese drugs only. Clinical manifestations

including the condition of ulcer healing

the improvement conditions of alogotrophy

edema and other symptoms

were observed before and after 3 months of treatment. The clinical healing rate

the ulcer healing time

and the ulcer recurrence rate

were compared between the two groups. All the patients were followed-up 3 months after treatment. The follow-up was carried out for 3 to 42 months (mean 30.5 months). In the treatment group

99 patients (106 limbs) were clinically cured

and the clinical healing rate was 97.06%; the ulcer healing time was 9–101 days (average 31.25±8.28 days) and 3 cases (5 limbs) had recurrence; the ulcer recurrence rate was 5.81%. In the control group

40 patients (43 limbs) were clinically cured

with a clinical healing rate of 80.00%; the ulcer healing time was 10–152 days (average 50.60±12.31 day) and 5 cases (7 limbs) recurred

with the ulcer recurrence rate being 20.59%. The effects in the treatment group were obviously better than those in the control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The oral administration and external application of Chinese drugs combined with micro-invasive surgery for the treatment of varicose ulcers in the lower extremities has a significant curative effect

with a higher clinical healing rate

shorter ulcer healing time and lower ulcer recurrence rate than either treatment alone.