Reduction of Varicose Vein Recurrence by Use of Postoperative Compression Stockings

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the ability of compression stockings to reduce the postoperative recurrence of varicose veins after surgery and to assess patient compliance. Design: Prospective randomized trial with follow-up to 1 year after surgery. Patients: Sixty-nine patients presenting for varicose vein surgery. Interventions: Interview for stocking compliance postoperatively with clinical and Doppler assessment of recurrence at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postoperatively. Main outcome measures: Recurrence of varicosities and patient compliance. Results: 39% of patients allocated stockings were either lost to follow-up or abandoned their use after 3 months; 11% declined the stockings on presentation. By 1 year postoperatively, only 6% in the stocking group had recurrent varicose veins compared with 71% in the control group (no stockings). Conclusion: Despite an early, relatively high noncompliance rate, external compression hosiery significantly reduced postoperative recurrence of varicose veins.

Multicenter randomized trial comparing compression with elastic stocking versus bandage after surgery for varicose veins

“…6,7 Compression with a class II MCS (23 to 32 mm Hg), worn for 12 months after the surgical procedure, has been shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of recurrent varicose veins. 8 The rationale for elastic compression use varies depending on whether the varicose disease is treated with more traditional surgical stripping or with endovascular or other techniques. In the first two types of treatment, use of concentric compression, with a bandage or MCS, is very widespread, at least for the first 24 to 48 hours.…”

Compression with 23 mmHg or 35 mmHg stockings after saphenous catheter foam sclerotherapy and phlebectomy of varicose veins: A randomized controlled study

“…Many authors have shown the effectiveness of compression in preventing or minimizing inflammation and pain, bruising, hematoma and hemorrhage, thrombosis of superficial and deep vein, and even in preventing recanalization and neovascularization; finally, compression therapy seems to shorten recovery time and sick leave. 4,5,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] Nevertheless, despite of many reported beneficial effects on post-procedure symptoms and signs, compression therapy after VV treatment is still debated and not generally applied. In some papers, no advantages from compression over no compression were reported.…”

Postinterventionelle Kompressionstherapie

“…eine Progredienz der Varikose sollen durch die Anwendung von Kompression reduziert werden (10,30). Darüber hinaus führt die Kompression zu einer Verringerung der postoperativen Schmerzen und des postoperativen Ödems (6,16,17,27,28).…”