ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Post-operative oedema and ecchymosis represent early post-operative complications, impacting negatively on the final aesthetic outcome of each surgical procedure. In particular, such complications are very frustrating for patients and-sometimes-are difficult to be managed by surgeons. Several strategies are available for managing oedema, although some side effects have been reported. A new promising compound for the management of oedema is Venoplant, and this study aims to assess its effectiveness in decreasing post-operative oedema. METHODS: Patients were randomly allocated for receiving three different treatments: (1) Venoplant tablets and Venoplant gel; (2) only Venoplant tablets; and (3) not treated with Venoplant. The aesthetical outcome has been evaluated using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), compiled by both patient and clinician. The GAIS scale was administered several times: the day following the surgical procedure (T0) after 3 days (T1), after 7 days (T2), after 15 days (T3) and after 1 month (T4). RESULTS: Forty-three patients participated in the study. According to patient's evaluations, at T0 in Group 1 and in Group 2 a significant statistical difference was found compared to the control group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). Over time, a significant reduction in swelling and ecchymosis was reported by patients treated with Venoplant (tablets alone or in combination with gel) compared to the control group. According to the physician's assessment, during the different time points of evaluation, a significant reduction in post-operative oedema in Group 1 and in Group 2 compared to the control group was found. CONCLUSION: Venoplant represents a valid therapeutic strategy for the management of post-operative oedema, guaranteeing a good level of patient satisfaction, in the absence of common side effects which are often associated with other therapies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
