A PROSPECTIVE COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CONSERVATIVE AND SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF VARICOSE VEINS

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Varicose Veins are Defined as “ Permanently Elongated, Dilated vein/veins withtortuous path causing pathological circulation”.Varicose veins can develop anywhere in the bodybut are most commonly seen in the lower limbs. A detailed knowledge of the mechanism ofhemodynamic failure and the underlying anatomy is important in deciding treatment of the patientwith chronic venous disease.Methodology: The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between differentcomplications of varicose veins and Recurrence rate of Complications with the treatmentundergone by the patient. Total 30 patients were randomly assigned to Conservative management(i.e. Limb End Elevation, Elastic Stockings Application & Intermittent Bed rest to avoid prolongedStanding) or Surgical management (i.e. Trendelenburg Operation with Great Saphenous VeinStripping).Special focus was given to the follow-up visit of the patients who were asked to be present forreview every week, till two months so as to be vigilant regarding the occurrence of complications.Results: Out of 30 patients, 15 were treated surgically while 15 were treated conservatively. Eleven(11) patients in total developed some complications in post treatment part. The commonestcomplication observed in post surgical patients was haematoma. Recurrence of Varicosity wasseen in 4 patients who were previously managed conservatively. A single case of wound infectionand ulcer formation were observed in each respectively. Out of the 11 patients who had developedsome complications, 5 patients had undergone surgical management, while 6 patients hadundergone conservative management.Conclusion: Surgical Intervention is better than conservative management in Varicose veins. Therate of complications / recurrence over a 2 months period was less in the surgical group than in thegroup managed by conservative therapy.