ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the short-term clinical effect of the foam sclerotherapy combined with Melilotus Extract Tablets vs foam sclerotherapy alone in treating varicose veins of the lower extremities.Methods A retrospective cohort study was carried out in 120 cases receiving foam sclerotherapy in the Invasive Technology Department of Panyu District Central Hospital.Seventy-two patients in trial group wore graduated compression stockings and received oral use of Melilotus Extract Tablets after the operation,while 48 cases in the control group only wore graduated compression stockings after the operation.The follow-up for the two groups lasted for 3 months.We recorded the relief of symptoms (pain,soreness and distention) and physical signs (edema,hyperpigmentation,ulcer) after the operation.The grading levels of clinical-etiology-anatomic-pathophysiologic classification system (CEAP) for lower limb venous disease,venous clinical severity scores (VCSS) and disease quality-of-life questionnaire CIVIQ scores were observed before and after the operation.Results (1) Three months after the operation,the illness state of the two groups was improved to certain degree,and the differences of CEAP grading levels were insignificant(P ＞ 0.05).(2) VCSS and CIVIQ scores of the two groups were improved after the operation (P ＜ 0.01 compared with those before the operation),and the trial group had better effect on improving CIVIQ scores than the control group (P ＜ 0.01).(3) The successful rate of the trial group was 88.89％,and that of the control group was 81.25％,the difference being insignificant (P ＞ 0.05).(4) Time for obvious relief of lower limb symptom in the trial group was shorter than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.05),but the time for hyperpigmentation and ulcer disappearing as well as the medical expenses in the trial group did not differ from those in the control group (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Foam sclerotherapy combined with Melilotus Extract Tablets is effective,safe and economical for the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities,and its efficacy is superior to foam sclerotherapy alone.