Intermittent pneumatic compression after varicose vein surgery.

Objective: Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is an established treatment option to remove tissue fluid from patients with lymphedema and chronic venous disease. The effects of IPC applied directly after varicose vein surgery performed with high volumes of tumescent local anesthesia have not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of postoperative IPC concerning its effects on the leg volume and patient comfort after surgery.

Eight-year follow-up of a randomized clinical trial comparing ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy with surgical stripping of the great saphenous vein.

Background: This was an 8-year follow-up of an RCT comparing ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) with high ligation and surgical stripping (HL/S) of the great saphenous vein (GSV).

Methods: Patients were randomized to UGFS or HL/S of the GSV. The primary outcome was the recurrence of symptomatic GSV reflux.

The relation between clinical scores and quality-of-life in long-term follow-up.

Introduction: Quality-of-life and severity scores are both popular measures in medicine. For deep venous obstruction, the VEINES-QOL/Sym and venous clinical severity score (VCSS) are widely used. Combining a patient-reported outcome with a clinical severity score should give a more sensitive outcome for treatment results.

The Future of Phlebology in Europe.

Background: Worldwide superficial and deep venous diseases are common and associated with significant individual and socioeconomic morbidity. Increasing burden of venous disease requires Phlebology to define itself as an independent specialty representing not only patients but the multidisciplinary physicians involved in venous care.

Methods & Results: In this article the scope of venous disease in Europe and subsequent future governance for treatment in the region is discussed.